Vulvar Metastasis in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report Highlighting the Aggressive Nature of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Vulvar cancer is one of the rarest gynecological malignancies. The development of this condition can be associated with either dysplasia linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), primarily affecting younger women, or vulvar dermatoses such as lichen sclerosus, which predominantly affect older women. Over the last decade, the incidence of vulvar cancer has risen by 0.6% annually, while the relative survival rate has declined. Although metastasis to the vulva is uncommon, it can occur, particularly from cancers in nearby organs such as the cervix, bladder, rectum, or anus. More rarely, metastases from breast cancer and renal cell carcinoma have been reported in the vulva. Vaginal metastases from clear cell renal carcinoma are especially rare. In this article, we present the case of a 56-year-old patient diagnosed with clear cell renal carcinoma, who came to our clinic with a lesion on the right labia, which was identified as a metastasis originating from the kidney. Given the rarity of genital metastases in renal cancer, such cases should be examined and discussed to encourage further research and studies.

Keywords: clear cell renal carcinoma; kidney tumor; metastasis; vulvar cancer; vulvar metastasis.

Figure 1

CT scan revealing the tumor formation in the left kidney (marked in blue and yellow circles).

Figure 2

First PET-CT revealing multiple bilateral non-calcified pulmonary nodules (marked in yellow and green circles).

Figure 3

Second PET-CT scan showing the progression of the lung lesions (marked with arrows).

Figure 4

Vulvar mass.

Figure 5

Intraoperative images from the excision of the vulvar mass.

Figure 6

Flow diagram of the patient medical history.