Malignant Extrarenal Rhabdoid Tumor (MERT) of the Colon

Deepti Dhavaleshwar, MD; Kofi Clarke, MD, FRCP, Allegheny Health Network, Allegheny General Hospital, Division of Gastroenterology, Pittsburgh, PA Ten cases of primary colonic malignant extrarenal rhabdoid tumors (MERT) have been reported. We report a case in a 31-year-old female who presented with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Her initial evaluation was significant for leukocytosis and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. On colonoscopy, a 4-cm localized inflammatory-appearing lesion at the ileocecal valve was noted. Biopsies showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Surgical pathology after right hemi-colectomy revealed a malignant neoplasm with rhabdoid features. Despite aggressive chemotherapy, the patient died four months after diagnosis. MERT cases are rare and have poor prognosis. A better understanding of these tumors may help to improve outcomes.