Cancer masquerading as an intussusception: Experience at tertiary care rural hospital

Introduction: One segment of the intestine telescopes into another, resulting in obstruction or intestinal ischemia. A pathological lead point, such as a tumor, causes the disease. A pathologic lead point in the lumen, wall, or outside the wall can cause adult intussusception (AI).Materials and Methods: Retrospective case series of eight patients diagnosed with AI over 18 years in a tertiary rural tertiary a decade (2010-2020).Result: Out of 8 AI cases6 were women, and 2 were men. The median age at diagnosis was 44 years. AI was verified by USG (25%), with CT scan being (100%) sensitivity preoperatively. AI distribution (2 in the small bowel, four at the ileocecal region, and 2 in the colon). The most commonly reported presenting symptom was abdominal pain. (8/8,100%). 75% (6/8) of patients underwent urgent surgery after presenting with acute intestinal obstruction. At the same time, two cases underwent elective surgery. Out of them, five cases were malignant (adenocarcinoma) (62.5%), and three cases were benign tumors (37.5%). (Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, a Meckel’s diverticulum, and appendicitis).Conclusion: Due to the lack of specific symptoms, the diagnosis of AI by clinicians and surgeons is frequently missed out. When dealing with acute abdominal pain and signs of bowel obstruction, it's important to consider this less common diagnostic possibility because intussusception is a surgical emergency with high mortality rates in the case of delayed treatment. A surgical approach must be practiced to avoid missing underlying causes like neoplasm.