Our Summary

The research paper discusses a case of a tumor called “Schloffer tumor” that developed at the site of surgery in an 85-year-old man who had previously undergone colon cancer surgery. This tumor type grows in the layer of fat beneath the skin in the abdomen and is caused by a foreign body, such as a surgical suture, left behind after surgery. In this case, the tumor grew rapidly over a period of two months.

The doctors used a type of scan called a PET scan, which showed a high accumulation of a radioactive glucose compound, suggesting the presence of a tumor. Because of the tumor’s rapid growth and location, doctors initially suspected it was a recurrence of the patient’s colon cancer at the site of the surgical incision.

However, after removing the tumor, they found it was actually a Schloffer tumor, which is an inflammatory mass rather than cancerous growth. The study suggests that in this era of laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgeries, doctors should consider the possibility of a Schloffer tumor when they see a rapidly growing mass at the site of a surgical incision in patients who have had advanced colorectal cancer surgery.

FAQs

  1. What is a Schloffer tumor and how does it develop?
  2. What procedures were used to diagnose the Schloffer tumor in the case study?
  3. What is the connection between laparoscopic sigmoidectomy and the development of a Schloffer tumor?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about sigmoidectomy is to carefully monitor the surgical site for any unusual growth or changes, as there is a rare possibility of developing a foreign body granuloma like a Schloffer tumor in the abdominal wall postoperatively. If there are any concerns or symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention promptly for further evaluation and management.

Suitable For

Patients who have undergone laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for colon cancer and develop a rapidly growing mass at the port site may be recommended for sigmoidectomy to remove the tumor. In this case, the patient was an 85-year-old man with stage IIIa sigmoid colon cancer who developed a Schloffer tumor, which is a foreign body granuloma that can develop at the site of a previous surgery. Patients with suspected port site recurrence or rapidly growing tumors with FDG-PET positivity may be candidates for sigmoidectomy to remove the tumor and prevent further complications.

Timeline

  • Patient undergoes laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for stage IIIa sigmoid colon cancer
  • 10 months postoperatively, patient notices a growing mass in the abdominal wall at the port site
  • Tumor rapidly grows for 2 months
  • Computed tomography shows a ring-enhanced mass at the right-sided abdominal wall
  • PET examination reveals high accumulation of FDG in the tumor
  • Tumor resection is performed due to suspected port site recurrence
  • Pathological diagnosis confirms inflammatory granuloma, Schloffer tumor

Overall timeline: Patient undergoes surgery, develops Schloffer tumor at port site, tumor rapidly grows, imaging confirms presence of tumor, tumor is resected and diagnosed as Schloffer tumor.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is a Schloffer tumor and how is it different from other types of tumors?
  2. What are the potential causes of a Schloffer tumor developing after a sigmoidectomy?
  3. How common is it for patients to develop a Schloffer tumor after a sigmoidectomy?
  4. What are the symptoms of a Schloffer tumor and how is it typically diagnosed?
  5. What are the treatment options for a Schloffer tumor, and what is the prognosis?
  6. Are there any specific risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing a Schloffer tumor after surgery?
  7. How often should I follow up with my healthcare provider to monitor for any potential recurrence of a Schloffer tumor?
  8. Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions I should take to reduce the risk of developing a Schloffer tumor in the future?
  9. Are there any specific tests or imaging studies that should be done regularly to monitor for any signs of a Schloffer tumor recurrence?
  10. Are there any support groups or resources available for patients who have experienced a Schloffer tumor after a sigmoidectomy?

Reference

Authors: Asano E, Furuichi Y, Kumamoto K, Uemura J, Kishino T, Usuki H, Okano K, Suzuki Y. Journal: Surg Case Rep. 2019 Jul 23;5(1):116. doi: 10.1186/s40792-019-0677-7. PMID: 31338615