“-Omas” presenting as “-itis”: acute inflammatory presentations of common gastrointestinal neoplasms

Oncologic emergencies have a high rate of morbidity and mortality. This review covers several scenarios of gastrointestinal malignancies presenting emergently as various acute abdominal pathologies. Radiologists should be familiar with the typical imaging findings, clinical presentations, and laboratory values which may suggest a background neoplasm, particularly when encountered in the context of an acute inflammatory state. Imaging plays a vital role in the workup of these patients; delays in appropriate diagnosis negatively affect outcomes, oftentimes resulting in the need for additional intervention. It is important for radiologists to understand which patients may have a higher likelihood of an underlying malignancy. Correctly identifying these malignancies when seen in an emergency room is particularly vital, as radiologists may be among the first providers to suggest a diagnosis of cancer in this setting.