Metastatic gastric cancer mimicking an advanced cervical cancer: a case report
Matsushita, H.; Fukase, M.; Takayanagi, T.; Ikarashi, H.
European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology 32(2): 199-200
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-2936 PMID: 21614914 Document Number: 651601
Metastasis to the uterine cervix from non-gynecologic neoplasms is rare. However, metastatic tumors sometimes precede the diagnosis of a primary tumor, and may lead to diagnosis of the primary tumor. A 50-year-old woman was referred to us complaining of increasing right flank pain. Computed tomography scan demonstrated an enlarged uterus with right-sided hydronephrosis and hydroureter. Cervical cytology revealed adenocarcinoma. She was considered to have a Stage IIIB cervical adenocarcinoma. Although no cervical lesion was seen colposcopically, histopathology from biopsies of the uterine cervix revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma infiltrating around the normal endocervical glands. A metastasis from the gastrointestinal tract was suspected. The patient underwent gastroscopy and was found to have Borrmann type IV gastric cancer. Biopsies confirmed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet ring cells. Physicians should bear in mind that metastatic tumors may precede the diagnosis of a primary tumor and could manifest by mimicking advanced cervical cancer.