Calcification and Ossification in Rectal Malignant Processes

Calcification and ossification of carcinomatous lesions of the large intestine are rare. The authors studied 11 such cases drawn from a review of the pathologic specimens, gross and microscopic, of carcinomatous lesions of the colon and rectum seen thus far at the Mayo Clinic. Seven of the cases showed calcification and 4 showed ossification, in contrast to reports in the literature in which only 1 of 18 showed calcification. The presence of calcification and ossification did not seem to change the pattern of rectal malignant processes. However, both this series and reports in the literature demonstrate a preponderance of patients who were younger than those who had nonossified lesions.