# Giant Sigmoid Lipoma With Necrosis Mimicking Colorectal Cancer and Intussusception: A Case Report

**Authors:** Eduardo Gil Hurtado, Javier Luna García, Ulises J Soto Calvario

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.101944 · Cureus · 2026-01-20

## TL;DR

A patient with a large lipoma in the sigmoid colon was initially suspected of having colorectal cancer, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis to avoid unnecessary surgery.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the diagnostic challenges of giant colonic lipomas mimicking colorectal cancer and emphasizes the need for integrated clinical evaluation.

## Key findings

- A giant submucosal lipoma was confirmed as the cause of symptoms initially mistaken for colorectal cancer.
- Laparoscopic colectomy was performed due to diagnostic uncertainty, and postoperative recovery was uneventful.
- The case underscores the importance of combining clinical, endoscopic, and imaging findings in diagnosing large colonic lesions.

## Abstract

We describe a case of a giant sigmoid colon lipoma with clinical and radiological features mimicking colorectal carcinoma, highlighting the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with large submucosal colonic lesions.

The patient presented with symptoms of bowel obstruction and cross-sectional imaging findings that highly suggested malignancy. The patient's clinical presentation, imaging studies, colonoscopic findings, and histopathological results were reviewed.

The patient underwent colonoscopic evaluation, which revealed a bulky, ulcerated lesion, further increasing suspicion for malignancy; due to the size of the lesion and inability to exclude cancer preoperatively, a laparoscopic segmental colectomy was performed.

Histopathology examination confirmed a giant submucosal lipoma with compression-related necrosis and associated chronic colitis. Postoperative recovery was uneventful.

This case emphasizes the value of correlating and integrating clinical, endoscopic, and imaging findings when evaluating large colonic lesions. Recognition of giant colonic lipomas as a potential mimic of colorectal carcinoma is essential to guide appropriate management and may help avoid unnecessary extensive surgical intervention.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** colorectal cancer (MONDO:0005575)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Necrosis (MESH:D009336), prolapse of (MESH:D011391), Colonic lipomas (MESH:D003108), abdominal masses (MESH:D000007), constipation (MESH:D003248), tenderness (MESH:D063806), rectal prolapse (MESH:D012005), colitis (MESH:D003092), peritoneal irritation (MESH:D010538), hydronephrosis (MESH:D006869), weight loss (MESH:D015431), Sigmoid Lipoma (MESH:D012810), obstructive symptoms (MESH:D012816), anemia (MESH:D000740), Colorectal Cancer (MESH:D015179), Intussusception (MESH:D007443), hemorrhoids (MESH:D006484), obstruction (MESH:D000402), vomiting (MESH:D014839), bleeding (MESH:D006470), nausea (MESH:D009325), diarrhea (MESH:D003967), cancer (MESH:D009369), ischemic (MESH:D002545), edema (MESH:D004487), Pneumoperitoneum (MESH:D011027), abdominal pain (MESH:D015746), Rectal bleeding (MESH:D012002), Inflammatory (MESH:D007249), fatty (MESH:D008067), bowel obstruction (MESH:D012778)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

14 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12921457/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12921457