Fournier’s gangrene as initial presentation of rectal cancer

Fournier’s gangrene is a necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum that can occur due to a loss of integrity of the gastrointestinal or urethral mucosa. Its appearance as the debut of a perforated rectal neoplasm is unusual, more uncommon in young patients, leading to an advanced stage of the disease. Therefore, we present the case of a 47-year-old male with Fournier’s gangrene as the debut of a rectal cancer that, despite severe presentation, the pathological stage was early (pT2N0), highlighting the importance of considering neoplastic etiology in perineal gangrene and the need for an early multidisciplinary approach.