A benign-looking subcutaneous metastasis from squamous cell cervical carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature

A 30-year-old woman with a stage IIIB grade 3 squamous cell cervical carcin oma and pelvic lymph node metastases was treated with external beam radioth erapy and intracavitary brachytherapy. One month after the completion of th e treatment, a rubbery, movable, and painless mass appeared in the lower th ird and outer aspect of her right thigh. The overlying epidermis was intact . The whole clinical picture and CT scan image indicated a benign tumor. Bi opsy revealed a nonkeratinizing, grade 2-3, squamous cell carcinoma similar to the primary cervical tumor. She then received six cycles of chemotherap y (cis-platinum and 5-fluorouracil) with transient partial response. The pa tient died one year after the diagnosis of the disease. This is the 29th ca se of cutaneous metastasis from a cervical carcinoma, the seventh localized on the leg, but the first solitary one with a benign-looking appearance re ported since 1855. The possible mechanism of this rare metastasis is debate d and the literature is reviewed.