Unusual peritonitis: ruptured (perforated) malignant hemangiopericytoma of the sigmoid mesocolon

Abstract

Hemangiopericytoma is a rare vascular soft-tissue tumor arising from the pericytes adjacent to capillaries. The tumor usually develops in the limbs, pelvic fossa, head and neck and retroperitoneum (1-3). It is rarely found in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the colon or rectum. It has been documented in all ages, most commonly in the fifth and sixth decades (2). Surgical resection remains the optimal management clinically, and long-term survival is common in patients who receive curative resection. We report a case of malignant hemangiopericytoma in the sigmoid mesocolon presenting with peritonitis and with a good prognosis after operation.