Late recurrence of sigmoid carcinoma mimicking primary vulvar cancer: case report and review of the literature

Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2012;5(6):609-13. Epub 2012 Jul 29.

Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate a unique case report about late and isolated vulvar metastasis of sigmoid adeno-carcinoma with review of the literature.

Material-method: 57 year old postmenopausal patient with prior sigmoid colon cancer history was admitted with isolated vulvar mass. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and KRAS gen mutation analysis following surgery were performed to discriminate the metastasis from a vulvar primary malignancy. Further imaging techniques were also performed to exclude additional tumours.

Results: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and KRAS gene mutation analysis revealed isolated metastasis of the colonic adeno-carcinoma in the vulva.

Conclusion: Isolated and late occurring vulvar metastasis of colonic origin is very unusual. Careful evaluation and IHC is useful for such cases.

Keywords: Colon; immunohistochemistry; metastasis; sigmoid; vulva.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / genetics
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Sigmoid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / genetics
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / secondary*
  • ras Proteins / genetics
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • KRAS protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • ras Proteins