Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon 21431, Republic of Korea.
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, St. Vincent's Hospital, Suwon 16247, Republic of Korea.
Medicina (Kaunas). 2024 Aug 21;60(8):1365. doi: 10.3390/medicina60081365.
: Rectal cancer is considered cured if no recurrence is found during the 5-year follow-up period after treatment. After this period, patients often believe that the cancer is completely eradicated. However, in modern society, where lifespans have become longer, it is important to recognize that metastatic cancer may occur long after the initial treatment has concluded. This highlights the necessity of continued vigilance and the long-term follow-up of cancer survivors. : We present a case of metastatic cancer of the coccyx in an 87-year-old female patient. This patient had undergone successful surgery and treatment for rectal cancer 10 years prior. She was considered cured after the standard 5-year follow-up period as she showed no signs of recurrence. The patient presented with simple coccygeal pain as the main complaint, without any other accompanying symptoms such as weight loss, fever, or changes in bowel habits, typically associated with cancer recurrence. During the clinical evaluation, irregularities in the bone cortex were detected while performing a nerve block using ultrasound. Given these findings, further diagnostic evaluations were performed. Advanced imaging techniques including MRI and CT scans led to a diagnosis of coccygeal metastasis. : While the 5-year mark post-treatment is a significant milestone for rectal cancer patients, it does not guarantee the absolute eradication of the disease. Long-term monitoring and a thorough evaluation of new symptoms are essential for the early detection and management of late metastatic recurrences. This approach ensures that patients receive timely and appropriate care, potentially improving outcomes and quality of life.
直肠癌患者在治疗后 5 年的随访期内未发现复发,即可认为治愈。在此期间后,患者通常会认为癌症已完全消除。然而,在现代社会,人类的寿命变得更长,认识到转移性癌症可能在初始治疗结束很久后才发生是很重要的。这突显了对癌症幸存者持续警惕和长期随访的必要性。
我们报告了一例 87 岁女性患者尾骨转移性癌症。该患者 10 年前成功接受了直肠癌手术和治疗。在标准的 5 年随访期后,她被认为治愈了,因为她没有复发的迹象。该患者的主要症状是单纯的尾骨疼痛,没有任何其他伴随症状,如体重减轻、发热或排便习惯改变,这些症状通常与癌症复发有关。在临床评估中,在使用超声进行神经阻滞时发现骨皮质不规则。鉴于这些发现,进一步进行了诊断评估。包括 MRI 和 CT 扫描在内的先进影像学技术诊断为尾骨转移。
虽然治疗后 5 年是直肠癌患者的一个重要里程碑,但并不能保证疾病的绝对消除。长期监测和对新症状的彻底评估对于早期发现和管理晚期转移性复发至关重要。这种方法确保患者及时获得适当的治疗,从而可能改善预后和生活质量。