A case of gastrocolic fistula secondary to adenocarcinoma of the colon

•The common cause of gastrocolic fistula is different between eastern and western countries.•The best diagnosing methods of gastrocolic fistula are barium enema and digestive endoscopy.•The therapy for gastrocolic fistula remains surgery.

IntroductionGastrocolic fistula secondary to colon carcinoma is a rare entity. The common cause of gastrocolic fistula is different between eastern and western countries. Gastrocolic fistula may present many manifestations.Presentation of caseWe present a case report of gastrocolic fistula in a 59-year-old male patient with colon adenocarcinoma, diagnosed on digestive endoscopy, CT scanning and barium enema. Radical en-bloc surgery was undertaken based on patient’s symptom, the size and the nature of the tumor.DiscussionThe typical symptoms of gastrocolic fistula include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, emaciation, anemia, hypoaluminemia, weight loss and ascites. There are many methods to diagnose gastrocolic fistula, but barium enema is the most accepted way nowadays.ConclusionIt is rare for gastrocolic fistula case to be caused by colon adenocarcinoma, and has been rarely reported inside China. The best therapy of gastrocolic fistula remains radical en-bloc surgery.