An apple-core lesion refers to a short segment where the large bowel becomes narrowed all the way around, with abrupt edges seen on imaging, producing an appearance reminiscent of the remains of an eaten apple – an apple core lesion.
This appearance is most commonly associated with colonic
adenocarcinoma, a cancer of the large bowel. It arises because the tumour grows
circumferentially within the bowel wall, gradually narrowing the hollow centre
(lumen) rather than forming a single lump. When a contrast liquid is used to
outline the bowel, only a thin column can pass through the narrowed segment,
and it is this narrow column that outlines the characteristic apple-core shape.
The finding is therefore an important radiological clue that often leads to
further investigation, such as colonoscopy and biopsy.
Reference
Alzaraa A, Krzysztof K, Uwechue R, Tee M, Selvasekar C. Apple-core lesion of the colon: a case report. Cases J. 2009;2:7275. Go to reference
Apple-core lesion, Apple core
