Cutaneous metastases after radical chemoradiotherapy in carcinoma cervix: An unusual manifestation

Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancy affecting women in India; however, cutaneous metastasis arising from cervical cancer is particularly rare. Skin metastases are unusual even in the terminal stages of the disease with the incidence ranging from 0.1% to 4.4%. Mostly they occur as a sign of recurrent disease and are associated with poor prognosis. We report a case of carcinoma of the uterine cervix with cytology proven unusual extensive metastasis to the vulva, anterior abdominal wall and thigh developing within 1 month of external beam radiation therapy. Cutaneous metastasis usually presents in the form of the nodule, plaque and inflammatory telangiectasia. However, in our case presenting symptom was an ulcer which spread to completely destroy the vulva. Adenocarcinomas of the cervix have a higher propensity for cutaneous metastasis. Skin metastases from cervical carcinoma occur predominantly in cases of tumor recurrences, with metastases developing up to 10 years after initial diagnosis. No effective treatment has been identified till date. Palliation is the aim using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery alone or in combination.