I. Two Cases of Colonic Endometriosis

The first case is a 32-year-old female who visited our hospital complainig of genital bleeding. Though laparotomy was performed under the diagnosis of myoma of the cervix in our gynecological department, there was a tumor at the anterior wall of the rectum. As it looked submucosal tumor of the rectum, partial resection of the rectum was performed. The tumor was hard and measured 2×1×0.8 cm. Histopathological examination revealed it was endometroisis. The second case is a 46-year-old female who visited our hospital complaining of abdominal tumor. Total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingooophorectomy were performed in the gynecological department, and the tumor of the sigmoid colon, which seemed carcinoma was found.Sigmoidectomy was performed under the diagnosis of submucosal tumor of the sigmoid colon after barium enema and proctoscopic examination. The tumor was measured 4×2 cm. Histopathological examination revealed it was endometriosis.It is difficult to distinguish between carcinoma and endometriosis of the colon except on histological grounds though the chances of making correct diagnosis are enhanced if the symptoms occur or are increased during menstruation. The necessity of operative biopsy should be persisted.The treatment should be determined carefully by reference to the age of the patient and the severity of the symptoms.