Symptomatic vaginal bleeding in a postmenopausal woman revealing colon adenocarcinoma metastasizing exclusively to the vagina

J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2010 Nov-Dec;17(6):779-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2010.05.014.

Abstract

Vaginal carcinomas are rare entities, accounting for 2% of all malignant cancers of the female genital tract, and the vast majority are metastatic. Adenocarcinoma of the colon metastasizing to the vagina is extremely rare, only 5 cases have been reported. We present the case of a woman who experienced vaginal bleeding as an isolated symptom of vaginal metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma. Vaginal localization of metastasis from colorectal cancer significantly worsens the survival prognosis, and a standard treatment has not yet been proposed. Potential mechanisms of spread of colorectal cancer to the vagina and therapeutic approaches are discussed. In this case, treatment included surgery and chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Aged
  • Colonic Neoplasms / complications
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Postmenopause
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / secondary*