Cutaneous Malignancies Metastatic to the Female Genital Tract and Pelvic Lymph Nodes: Analysis of Metastatic Patterns and Pathogenesis.

Background/

Objectives

Metastases from cutaneous malignancies to the female genital tract and pelvic lymph nodes are rare clinical entities that frequently masquerade as primary gynecologic tumors, leading to significant diagnostic challenges. The distinction between primary and metastatic disease is critical, yet complex, given the varying patterns of spread exhibited by different skin cancers. This study aims to provide a tumor-specific overview of these metastatic patterns to guide diagnosis and therapy.

Methods

We conducted a narrative review informed by a systematic literature search of MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science for records regarding primary cutaneous melanoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), and cutaneous lymphomas metastasizing to the female genital tract (FGT) or pelvic lymph nodes. Data were synthesized qualitatively to identify organotropic patterns, diagnostic pitfalls, and management outcomes across these distinct malignancies.

Results

The analysis reveals distinct metastatic niches: cutaneous melanoma shows a predilection for the ovary, often mimicking epithelial ovarian carcinoma, whereas cSCC and MCC typically involve pelvic lymph nodes via contiguous spread from inguinal basins. Histologic evaluation with broad immunohistochemical panels is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis, as imaging alone lacks specificity. Crucially, the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies has significantly improved survival in advanced melanoma, cSCC, and MCC, altering the role of pelvic surgery.

Conclusions

Management of cutaneous malignancies metastatic to the pelvis is shifting from a focus on radical surgery to a systemic-first approach. Pelvic metastasectomy should be reserved for selected oligometastatic cases or symptom control within a multidisciplinary framework. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion in patients with a history of skin cancer to avoid overtreatment and optimize quality of life.