Misdiagnosis of Ectopic Pregnancy in a Patient with Suspected Colorectal Malignancy: A Case Report

Introduction: An ectopic pregnancy is defined as the implantation of a blastocyst outside the endometrium, which is often overlooked in routine antenatal care. Approximately 40% of ectopic pregnancies are initially misdiagnosed due to symptoms that are similar to those of other diseases.Case Presentation: A 31-year-old female was referred to the Digestive Surgery Department from the local hospital with suspected colorectal malignancy. The patient complained of cramping and abdominal pain that had persisted for five days, along with a history of ignored blood-tinged mucus in her stool 15 days before admission. The patient denied the possibility of pregnancy but was later found to be pregnant with suspected ectopic pregnancy when examined by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.Discussion: Ectopic pregnancy presents various signs and symptoms that can often lead to misdiagnosis. Initially, the patient was suspected of having colorectal malignancy due to the history of blood-tinged mucus in her stool, which occurred 15 days before admission. A pregnancy test was then performed, which heightened the suspicion of ectopic pregnancy. An immediate laparotomy confirmed the rupture of the left tube, followed by a left salpingectomy.Conclusion: Ectopic pregnancy is an obstetric emergency that requires timely treatment to prevent maternal deaths. However, it is often misdiagnosed due to many symptoms that mimic other diseases. Misdiagnosis poses a concern that can lead to increased mortality and morbidity. Therefore, all obstetrical conditions must be ruled out for female patients of reproductive age presenting with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding.