Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Vulva Presenting as an Isolated Inguinal Lymph Node Metastasis: A Case Report.

Background: Vulvar carcinoma is usually diagnosed after a patient notices bleeding, pruritis, or a lesion. We describe a case of vulvar carcinoma presenting as an isolated lymph node metastasis in the setting of negative pelvic examinations, with interval development of a vulvar lesion.

Case: A 45-year-old woman presented with a left groin mass, and a biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary. She underwent an extensive work-up including several evaluations by gynecologic oncologists, all with negative results. Only after 11 months of clinical monitoring did a vulvar lesion appear and the primary tumor was diagnosed.

Conclusion: Cancers of unknown primary site presenting in an inguinal lymph node are relatively rare. Vulvar carcinoma should remain in the differential diagnosis even in the setting of a previously negative pelvic examination.