Metachronous isolated penile metastasis from sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma has a high incidence among gastrointestinal tumors, and it very rarely metastasizes to the penis. The literature reports that the prognosis after penile metastasis is generally poor, with a median survival of about 9 mo. Metachronous isolated metastasis to the penis originating from sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma has not been reported so far. Here, we report a case of sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma with isolated penile metastasis occurring 2 years after surgery. The mass was pathologically confirmed as metastatic adenocarcinoma, and oral chemotherapy with capecitabine was given after surgery. The tumor did not recur during the 2-year follow-up period.

CASE SUMMARY

A 79-year-old man presented to the urology department with "a mass located at the root of the penis since 1 mo". Enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination suggested a 12 mm × 10 mm × 9 mm nodule at the root of the right penile corpus cavernosum. Cranial, pulmonary, and abdominal CT; and bone scan did not show any tumorigenic lesions. The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was slightly elevated (6.01 ng/mL, reference value 0-5 ng/mL). The patient had undergone laparoscopic radical sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer 2 years ago. The postoperative pathology showed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon, and the stage was PT2N0M0. The penile mass was removed under general anesthesia. The postoperative pathology showed adenocarcinoma, and immunohistochemistry showed CDX2(+), CK20(+), and Villin(+). Based on the medical history, he was diagnosed with penile metastasis from sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma. The CEA level returned to normal (3.34 ng/mL) 4 d after surgery. Oral chemotherapy with capecitabine was given subsequently, and tumor recurrence was not found during the 2-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is a rare case of metachronous isolated penile metastasis from sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma. The penis is a potential site of metastasis of colon adenocarcinoma, and the possibility of metastasis should be considered in patients with a history of colon cancer who present with a penile mass. Solitary penile metastasis can be removed surgically, in combination with chemotherapy, and it may have good long-term outcomes.

Key Words: Colon adenocarcinoma; Penis; Metastases; Metachronous; Adenocarcinoma; Case report

Core Tip: Sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma has a high incidence among gastrointestinal tumors, and it very rarely metastasizes to the penis. The presence of penile metastases usually indicates the late stage of disease and a poor prognosis. We report a rare case of metachronous isolated penile metastasis from sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma, which was confirmed by pathology and immunohistochemistry. Surgical resection of penile metastases combined with subsequent chemotherapy may yield good long-term outcomes.

INTRODUCTION

Colon adenocarcinoma is one of the main tumors worldwide, and it is considered as one of the top three cancer killers along with lung, prostate, and breast cancers. It usually metastasizes to local lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and peritoneum, but it rarely metastasizes to the penis. Colon adenocarcinoma presenting with penile metastases is often accompanied by multiple metastases in the lungs, liver, pelvis, and bones[1], and it is considered to be a sign of advanced disease with a poor prognosis. Therefore, the median survival is only 9 mo. Here, we report a case of isolated penile metastasis occurring 2 years after surgery for sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma. The mass was confirmed to be metastatic adenocarcinoma by pathology and immunohistochemistry. Oral chemotherapy with capecitabine was given after the operation, and the tumor did not recur during the 2-year follow-up period.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 79-year-old man presented to the urology department with a mass located at the root of the penis since 1 mo. He did not have any pain or deflection during erection.

History of present illness

The patient had a 5-year history of hypertension.

History of past illness

He had undergone laparoscopic radical sigmoid surgery for sigmoid colon cancer 2 years ago. Postoperatively, the patient was diagnosed with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon, staged PT2N0M0, without subsequent chemotherapy.

Personal and family history

Personal and family history was non-contributory. His wife had died 5 years ago.

Physical examination

The mass was located at the root of the right corpus cavernosum, had a hard texture, and measured approximately 15 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm. Physical examination of the abdomen did not show any positive findings other than surgical scars, and enlargement of superficial lymph nodes throughout the body was not observed.

Laboratory examinations

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was mildly elevated at 6.01 ng/mL (reference value 0-5 ng/mL), and the carbohydrate antigen 72-4 (CA72-4) level was mildly elevated at 11.33 U/mL (reference value 0-6.9 U/mL). The prostate specific antigen level was 1.23 ng/mL (reference value 0-4 ng/mL).

Imaging examinations

Enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination suggested patchy enhancement changes on the right margin of the penis in the venous phase, measuring approximately 12 mm × 10 mm × 9 mm (Figure 1A and B). Ultrasonography showed an isoechoic area in the right penile corpus cavernosum with a clear boundary, measuring approximately 15 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm (Figure 1C). Cranial, pulmonary, and abdominal CT; and bone scan did not show any tumorigenic lesions.

Figure 1 Imaging examination. A and B: The right penile corpus cavernosum mass showed patchy enhancement changes in the venous phase, measuring approximately 12 mm × 10 mm × 9 mm; C: Ultrasonography shows an isoechoic area in the right penile corpus cavernosum with a clear boundary, measuring approximately 15 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm.

The size of the mass was approximately 15 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm, and it comprised a homogeneous grayish-white section and had a hard texture (Figure 2A). Pathology showed that there were different-sized glandular ducts in the corpus cavernosum, the cytoplasm contained mucus, the nuclei were large and hyperchromatic, and mitoses were visible (Figure 2B and C); Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the expression of CDX2, CK20, and Villin (Figure 3).

Figure 2 Tumor specimen and pathological examination. A: The mass measured approximately 15 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm, with a uniform grayish-white mass in section and a hard texture; B and C: In the corpus cavernosum, there were different-sized glandular ducts, the cytoplasm contained mucus, the nuclei were large and hyperchromatic, and the mitotic figures were visible (B: H.E. staining 15 ×), (C: H.E. staining 400 ×).

Figure 3 Immunohistochemical examination. A: Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CDX2; B: Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CK20; C: Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for Villin.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

Based on the medical history, the patient was diagnosed with penile metastasis from sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma.

TREATMENT

Penile lumpectomy was performed under general anesthesia. Eight cycles of oral chemotherapy with capecitabine were subsequently given.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

At the 2-year follow-up, the CEA level was normal and the tumor did not recur. The patient's penis was slightly curved, and urination was not affected.

DISCUSSION

Most malignant tumors of the penis are primary, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most predominant type, but other rare types, such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and soft tissue sarcoma, are also present[2]. Secondary malignancies of the penis are uncommon, with approximately 400 reported cases of metastases to the penis since the first case was discovered by Eberth in 1870[3]. Metastases often originate from urogenital tract tumors (in about 70% of cases)[4], and common organ sources are the bladder and prostate. Usually, bowel cancer rarely metastasizes to the penis; in reported cases, the most frequent cause is rectal cancer and it can be an isolated metastasis[5,6]. Reports of penile metastasis from colon cancer are even rare. Since the first case of metastasis from colon adenocarcinoma to the penis was reported in 1952[7], approximately 10 cases have been reported to date. In these cases, metastases are usually multiple and not limited to the penis[1,4,8]. Metachronous metastatic involvement of the penis is occasionally found only years after the primary tumor has been diagnosed, staged, treated, and apparently cured, without evidence of any other metastatic lesions. This seems to be slightly more frequent in malignancies secondary to lung cancer[9]. Penile metastasis can be the first symptom of colon adenocarcinoma, which is an unusual manifestation[10,11]. However, metachronous isolated metastasis of colonic adenocarcinoma to the penis has not been reported.

There is no characteristic symptom complex for secondary tumors of penis. The first sign of metastatic penile cancer is a mass, followed by skin nodules[12], priapism[13], and lower urinary tract symptoms, such as dysuria if the urethra is involved[14]. The corpora cavernosa penis is the most commonly affected metastatic site, and the glans and urethra are also susceptible sites[5,14]. Pain is often not the main symptom of patients, and priapism is the more prominent feature, which may be due to diffuse infiltration of tumor cells into the corpus cavernosum and the vascular space of the corpus cavernosum, or obstruction of the draining veins due to tumor cell infiltration. In our case, the tumor was located at the root of the right corpus cavernosum, and pain and priapism were not observed.

The spreading route of penile metastasis is still controversial. Despite having a dense network of blood and lymphatic vessels, the penis is an exceptional site for secondary tumors and does not provide the perfect environment for neoplastic seeding. The mechanisms of metastasis may be direct extension, retrograde lymphatic spread, retrograde venous spread, direct arterial extension, or secondary embolization, and more than one route of transmission may occur in the same patient[15]. Among these mechanisms, retrograde venous spread from the pudendal venous system into the dorsal venous system of the penis appears to be the most common mode of spread[16]. It is considered to be the major pathway of cancer spread to the penis[9]. However, there is a lack of literature on the potential molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of penis metastasis. The main differential diagnosis focuses on primary benign tumors, syphilitic chancre, venereal or other infectious ulcerations, idiopathic priapism, Peyronie’s plaque, candidiasis, cavernositis, tuberculosis of the penis, and sclerosing lipogranuloma[17].

Compared with ultrasound or computed tomographic scans alone, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a favorable imaging modality to delineate the degree of involvement in the penis[18]. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is more easily available and less costly than MR, and it could be an option in cases where standard imaging (US and CT) is doubtful[19]. Penile mass can be assessed by fine needle aspiration or excision biopsy, and immunohistochemistry can be used to identify the source of the tumor[20]. CDX2 and CK20 are important molecular markers for colorectal cancer. The metastatic nature of the lesion can be proven by immunohistochemical staining: CK20+/CK7- and expression of CDX2[21]. In this case, pathology showed heterogeneous glandular hyperplasia and positive expression of CDX2, CK20, and Villin in tumor cells, which was consistent with metastasis of colonic adenocarcinoma.

The presence of penile metastases of colon adenocarcinoma is an ominous sign. Approximately 90% of patients have extensive metastases in addition to genital lesions, and patients have a poor prognosis with a median survival of only 9 mo[22]. Most patients die within 1 year of diagnosis. The treatment is often palliative. In most cases, only chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or palliative supportive care is required, and surgical resection is controversial. Comprehensive treatment mainly depends on the specific conditions of the patient, such as the type and scope of the primary tumor, the symptoms of the patient, and presence of widespread metastasis[23].

However, it has been reported that patients without other apparent metastatic sites may have longer survival. The longest survival reported is 9 years[24]. If the metastasis is confined to the penis or is isolated metastases, surgical resection is still advisable. Penectomy can offer the possibility of cure in patients with disease localized to the penis[6], although such cases may be rare. For intractable pain, total penectomy or dorsal nerve section may be indicated, while in cases of urethral stenosis, temporary urinary diversion is sufficient[25]. In this case, the penile mass had a clear boundary, did not invade the urethra, and could be surgically removed; thus, we did not perform needle biopsy before surgery. The outcomes of the degloving and without degloving techniques for correction of penile curvature were similar, even if the without degloving technique presents better results in terms of less healing and operative time[26]. We did not complete the operation with degloving technique, but we made an incision corresponding to the surface of the mass. Localized lumpectomy significantly improves the quality of life, especially in elderly patients. The CEA and CA72-4 levels were decreased to normal levels immediately after excision of the lesion, indicating that the treatment was effective. Follow-up adjuvant chemotherapy is essential to minimize the risk of recurrence. Regular colonoscopy, penis ultrasound, pelvic CT examination, CEA and CA72-4 examination are necessary. Capecitabine was given as oral chemotherapy subsequently, and tumor recurrence was not observed at 2 years of follow-up. The patient's penis was slightly curved after the operation, and urination was not affected. Because of sexual abstinence after his wife's death, it was not possible to evaluate whether it had an effect on sexual intercourse.

CONCLUSION

We report a rare case of metachronous isolated penile metastases from sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma. The penis is a potential site of colon cancer metastasis, and the possibility of metastasis should be considered in patients with a history of colon cancer when a penile mass is found. Ultrasound is enough to identify penile lumps. In selected patients, surgical resection of penile metastases combined with subsequent chemotherapy may yield good long-term outcomes.