Diagnostic Challenges in Detecting Gastrointestinal Cancer Presented with Bicytopenia, Report of Two Cases and Review of Literature

Abstract

Introduction: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are common all over the world and threaten the health of societies. Patients are routinely referred for GI symptoms and undergo medical examinations. Case Presentation: Here we introduce two patients, one with gastric and another with colorectal cancer, whose initial laboratory finding was bicytopenia. Conclusions: Further diagnostic and examination work-up revealed that the primary site of the tumor was the GI tract and that the initial symptoms were due to bone metastasis. Involvement of the bone marrow at the beginning of the diagnosis of GI cancers has a very low prevalence and an unfavorable prognosis. In cases where standard treatments yield no response, healthcare providers may consider the likelihood of bone marrow involvement due to external influences.