Gastric adenocarcinoma presenting as uterine metastasis--a case report.

BACKGROUND

Metastases to the uterus are rare, especially from extrapelvic malignancies.

CASE: We report a 75-year-old woman who underwent hysterectomy for a FIGO Grade I endometrial carcinoma and was found to have evidence of a second malignant process involving the myometrium. The patient underwent a gastroscopy, which showed nonspecific superficial gastric and duodenal erosions. Random biopsies, however, confirmed a diagnosis of primary gastric adenocarcinoma. CT scan also showed pulmonary metastasis. The patient developed progressive disease despite two cycles of chemotherapy consistent of etoposide, doxorubicin and carboplatin.

CONCLUSION

This case illustrates the presence of two spatially separated tumours found in the uterus. Malignant cells present deep in the lymphovascular spaces have morphological features different from the primary endometrial carcinoma. The microscopic appearances of these cells are similar to that of the gastric biopsy, supporting the diagnosis of metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma.