The solitary cutaneous metastasis of asymptomatic colon cancer to an operative scar

Surg Today. 1993;23(2):164-6. doi: 10.1007/BF00311236.

Abstract

Although umbilical or cutaneous metastases from asymptomatic internal malignancies are occasionally documented, the literature contains no report of a solitary cutaneous metastasis to an old operative scar from an asymptomatic internal malignancy. A rare case of colonic cancer presenting as a solitary subcutaneous metastasis to a lower abdominal scar resulting from an open prostatectomy is described in this communication. It was impossible to distinguish this subcutaneous metastasis from a pyogenic granuloma caused by residual sutures without histological evidence. Thus, a granuloma that persists despite repeated treatment may be a possible sign of asymptomatic internal malignancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cicatrix / pathology*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Skin Neoplasms / secondary*