A case of isolated ovarian recurrence from vulvar carcinoma

The hematogenous spread from vulvar cancer is extremely rare. We reported an unusual case of ovarian recurrence from vulvar carcinoma. A 78-year-old woman, with a previous (41 months before) diagnosis of vulvar cancer, was admitted to our Institution. Ultrasound revealed a solid mass of the left ovary. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography documented an abnormal uptake in the left pelvis. At definitive pathology, the presence of the same histology in vulvar and ovarian mass and the presence of areas of necrosis and endovascular emboli in the ovarian mass led to the diagnosis of ovarian recurrence from vulvar carcinoma. The patient was triaged to salvage treatment and has currently no evidence of disease. This observation expands the range of unusual clinical presentations of recurrence sites from vulvar carcinoma, and emphasizes the need not to underestimate the role of long complete follow-up program in vulvar cancer patients. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.