An unusual tumour metastasis to the cervix
Kesavan, S.; Lee, I.W.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore 29(6): 780-782
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0304-4602 PMID: 11269991 Document Number: 512487
The vast majority of tumours in the cervix are either primary carcinomas or direct extension of primary tumours from nearby sites such as the endometrium, myometrium, rectum and bladder. Patients usually present with abnormal bleeding, pain and dyspareunia. A smaller number of patients are asymptomatic and their tumours can be diagnosed early by PAP smears. We present an unusual case of an elderly lady with breast cancer that had metastasized to the cervix 4 years after primary treatment of the breast malignancy. Although the appearance of the cervix was "normal looking", it was firm and indurated on palpation. A definite diagnosis of metastatic infiltration could only be made by colposcopic biopsy. Early PAP smears had shown some abnormal cells suggestive of metastatic lobular carcinoma but were not conclusive of metastasis from breast carcinoma. Subsequent bone scans and CT scans of the abdomen revealed metastatic lesions in the skull, spine, left femoral shaft and liver.