Unusual abscesses in perforating colorectal cancer.

Perforating colorectal carcinomas may be complicated by abscess formation. If unchecked, the abscess may subsequently extend to a number of sites thus requiring emergency medical attention. The cases of five such patients treated at Massachusetts General Hospital are reported. Sepsis may spread in a short period of time over a considerable area in anatomic spaces such as the retroperitoneal space. Recognition of the source of abscess may be difficult. At times, the abscess may be accompanied by subcutaneous emphysema. Prompt diagnosis and elimination of the source of sepsis may be lifesaving.