Vulvar cancer metastatic to the breast

Gynecol Oncol. 2006 Dec;103(3):1144-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2006.07.037. Epub 2006 Sep 26.

Abstract

Background: Vulvar cancer rarely sends metastases to distant sites.

Case: A 49-year-old female presented with a vulvar mass. The histologic examination revealed an infiltrating lesion with free surgical margins and no evidence of lymph node involvement. Four months following surgery, due to a bloody breast discharge and a palpable breast lump an excisional biopsy was performed. The histological evaluation revealed morphological features suggestive of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. The morphological, immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization findings were consistent with a breast metastatic nodule of squamous cell carcinoma arising from the primary vulvar cancer.

Conclusion: We conclude that the specimens are from the same origin therefore making the breast lesion a metastasis from the vulva.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / secondary
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / pathology
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / surgery