Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum is a common colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in men and women in the United States.Deaths from colorectal cancer have decreased with the use of colonoscopies and fecal tests, which check for signs of cancer in the stool.Tom Merton / OJO Images / Getty ImagesColorectal cancer comes in many forms, including adenocarcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma, melanoma, and neuroendocrine tumors. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of colorectal cancer. Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma is a rare type of adenocarcinoma, accounting for less than 1% of all colon cancers.What Is an Adenocarcinoma?“Adeno-” is a prefix that means “gland.” In general, glands secrete things and are classified as endocrine or exocrine. Endocrine glands secrete things into the bloodstream, like hormones. Exocrine glands secrete things that go outside of the body, like mucus and sweat.A carcinoma is amalignant tumorthat starts in epithelial tissue. Put the two words together and you get “adenocarcinoma,” which means a malignant tumor in epithelial tissue, specifically in a gland.The term “signet ring cell” describes the appearance ofcancer. To look at cancer cells under a microscope, you have to stain and dehydrate them. Because signet ring cell adenocarcinomas have so much fat in them, once they’re dehydrated, the nucleus gets pushed all the way over to one side. This makes the cell look kind of like a ring under the microscope.Signet ring cell adenocarcinomas are considered more aggressive than regular adenocarcinomas and are harder to successfully treat.Other Types of Colorectal CancerAdenocarcinomaAggressive Neuroendocrine TumorLeiomyosarcomaLymphomaMalignant MelanomaMucinous AdenocarcinomaSymptoms of Colorectal CancerThough signet cell adenocarcinomas are aggressive and tend to develop at an earlier age than other types of colorectal cancers, the symptoms are the same:Diarrhea or constipationA feeling that your bowel does not empty completelyBlood (either bright red or very dark) in your stoolStools that are narrower than usualFrequent gas pains or cramps, or feeling full or bloatedWeight loss with no known reasonFatigueNausea or vomitingBecause you may not have symptoms at first, it’s important to undergo screening tests. It is recommended that average-risk adults undergo colon cancer screening starting at age 45 (and earlier for those with risk factors).Screening includes colonoscopy and tests for blood in the stool. Treatments for colorectal cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination.

Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum is a common colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in men and women in the United States.Deaths from colorectal cancer have decreased with the use of colonoscopies and fecal tests, which check for signs of cancer in the stool.

Tom Merton / OJO Images / Getty Images

Man throwing up in toilet with glass of water in foreground

Colorectal cancer comes in many forms, including adenocarcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma, melanoma, and neuroendocrine tumors. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of colorectal cancer. Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma is a rare type of adenocarcinoma, accounting for less than 1% of all colon cancers.

What Is an Adenocarcinoma?

“Adeno-” is a prefix that means “gland.” In general, glands secrete things and are classified as endocrine or exocrine. Endocrine glands secrete things into the bloodstream, like hormones. Exocrine glands secrete things that go outside of the body, like mucus and sweat.

A carcinoma is amalignant tumorthat starts in epithelial tissue. Put the two words together and you get “adenocarcinoma,” which means a malignant tumor in epithelial tissue, specifically in a gland.

The term “signet ring cell” describes the appearance ofcancer. To look at cancer cells under a microscope, you have to stain and dehydrate them. Because signet ring cell adenocarcinomas have so much fat in them, once they’re dehydrated, the nucleus gets pushed all the way over to one side. This makes the cell look kind of like a ring under the microscope.

Signet ring cell adenocarcinomas are considered more aggressive than regular adenocarcinomas and are harder to successfully treat.

Other Types of Colorectal Cancer

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Though signet cell adenocarcinomas are aggressive and tend to develop at an earlier age than other types of colorectal cancers, the symptoms are the same:

Because you may not have symptoms at first, it’s important to undergo screening tests. It is recommended that average-risk adults undergo colon cancer screening starting at age 45 (and earlier for those with risk factors).Screening includes colonoscopy and tests for blood in the stool. Treatments for colorectal cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for colorectal cancer.National Cancer Institute.Cellular classification of colon cancer.Khan M, Korphaisarn K, Saif A, Foo WC, Kopetz S.Early-onset signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma of the colon: a case report and review of the literature.Case Reports in Oncological Medicine. 2017;2017:1-7. doi:10.1155/2017/2832180American Cancer Society.Do I have colorectal cancer? Signs, symptoms and work-up.Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, Rabeneck L, Sauer BG, Rex DK.ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(3):458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122Additional ReadingBelli S, Aytac HO, Karagulle E, Yabanoglu H, Kayaselcuk F, Yildirim S.Outcomes of surgical treatment of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum: 22 cases reviewed with literature.Int Surg. 2014;99(6):691-698. doi:10.9738/INTSURG-D-14-00067.1Paplomata E, Wilfong L.Signet ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater with leptomeningeal metastases: a case report.J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(21):e627-e629. doi:10.1200/JCO.2011.35.2385Thota R, Fang X, Subbiah S.Clinicopathological features and survival outcomes of primary signet ring cell and mucinous adenocarcinoma of colon: retrospective analysis of VACCR database.J Gastrointest Oncol. 2014;5(1):18-24. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2078-6891.2013.051

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for colorectal cancer.National Cancer Institute.Cellular classification of colon cancer.Khan M, Korphaisarn K, Saif A, Foo WC, Kopetz S.Early-onset signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma of the colon: a case report and review of the literature.Case Reports in Oncological Medicine. 2017;2017:1-7. doi:10.1155/2017/2832180American Cancer Society.Do I have colorectal cancer? Signs, symptoms and work-up.Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, Rabeneck L, Sauer BG, Rex DK.ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(3):458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122Additional ReadingBelli S, Aytac HO, Karagulle E, Yabanoglu H, Kayaselcuk F, Yildirim S.Outcomes of surgical treatment of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum: 22 cases reviewed with literature.Int Surg. 2014;99(6):691-698. doi:10.9738/INTSURG-D-14-00067.1Paplomata E, Wilfong L.Signet ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater with leptomeningeal metastases: a case report.J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(21):e627-e629. doi:10.1200/JCO.2011.35.2385Thota R, Fang X, Subbiah S.Clinicopathological features and survival outcomes of primary signet ring cell and mucinous adenocarcinoma of colon: retrospective analysis of VACCR database.J Gastrointest Oncol. 2014;5(1):18-24. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2078-6891.2013.051

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Cancer Society.Key statistics for colorectal cancer.National Cancer Institute.Cellular classification of colon cancer.Khan M, Korphaisarn K, Saif A, Foo WC, Kopetz S.Early-onset signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma of the colon: a case report and review of the literature.Case Reports in Oncological Medicine. 2017;2017:1-7. doi:10.1155/2017/2832180American Cancer Society.Do I have colorectal cancer? Signs, symptoms and work-up.Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, Rabeneck L, Sauer BG, Rex DK.ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(3):458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122

American Cancer Society.Key statistics for colorectal cancer.

National Cancer Institute.Cellular classification of colon cancer.

Khan M, Korphaisarn K, Saif A, Foo WC, Kopetz S.Early-onset signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma of the colon: a case report and review of the literature.Case Reports in Oncological Medicine. 2017;2017:1-7. doi:10.1155/2017/2832180

American Cancer Society.Do I have colorectal cancer? Signs, symptoms and work-up.

Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, Rabeneck L, Sauer BG, Rex DK.ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(3):458-479. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001122

Belli S, Aytac HO, Karagulle E, Yabanoglu H, Kayaselcuk F, Yildirim S.Outcomes of surgical treatment of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum: 22 cases reviewed with literature.Int Surg. 2014;99(6):691-698. doi:10.9738/INTSURG-D-14-00067.1Paplomata E, Wilfong L.Signet ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater with leptomeningeal metastases: a case report.J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(21):e627-e629. doi:10.1200/JCO.2011.35.2385Thota R, Fang X, Subbiah S.Clinicopathological features and survival outcomes of primary signet ring cell and mucinous adenocarcinoma of colon: retrospective analysis of VACCR database.J Gastrointest Oncol. 2014;5(1):18-24. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2078-6891.2013.051

Belli S, Aytac HO, Karagulle E, Yabanoglu H, Kayaselcuk F, Yildirim S.Outcomes of surgical treatment of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum: 22 cases reviewed with literature.Int Surg. 2014;99(6):691-698. doi:10.9738/INTSURG-D-14-00067.1

Paplomata E, Wilfong L.Signet ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater with leptomeningeal metastases: a case report.J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(21):e627-e629. doi:10.1200/JCO.2011.35.2385

Thota R, Fang X, Subbiah S.Clinicopathological features and survival outcomes of primary signet ring cell and mucinous adenocarcinoma of colon: retrospective analysis of VACCR database.J Gastrointest Oncol. 2014;5(1):18-24. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2078-6891.2013.051

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?