A case of Schloffer tumor with rapid growth and FDG-PET positivity at the port site of laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for colon cancer

Abstract

Background

Schloffer tumor is a foreign body granuloma in the abdominal subcutaneous layer that develops due to a foreign body such as suture from several months to years postoperatively. Herein, we report a case of a rapidly growing Schloffer tumor with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) positivity at the port site of laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for colon cancer.

Case presentation

An 85-year-old man, who underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for stage IIIa sigmoid colon cancer 10 months ago, was referred to our hospital with complaints of a growing mass in the abdominal wall. The tumor was palpable at the right-sided abdominal wall corresponding to the port site of laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. The tumor rapidly grew for 2 months. Computed tomography showed a ring-enhanced mass at the right-sided abdominal wall. PET examination revealed high accumulation of FDG in the tumor. Tumor resection was performed due to suspected port site recurrence. The pathological diagnosis was inflammatory granuloma, so-called Schloffer tumor.

Conclusion

In the era of laparoscopic surgery, Schloffer tumor may be one of the differential diagnoses for rapidly growing tumor with FDG-PET positivity at the port site in postoperative patients with advanced colorectal cancer.