Colorectal Carcinoma metastasizing to Scrotum: A series of five cases with unusual presentation and late recurrences from a single tertiary oncology centre of India

Abstract

Background Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a common malignancy, frequently metastasizing to the liver, lungs, and regional lymph nodes. However, metastasis to the scrotum is exceedingly rare, with few cases reported in the literature. In this study, we present a series of five cases of colorectal carcinoma metastasizing to the scrotum, emphasizing their unusual clinical presentation and late recurrences. Methods We did a retrospective review of 7 years from 2015–2022 for cases of scrotal metastasis in cases of CRC. Results The means age in our study was 38 years (22–61 years) and the median time interval between the primary diagnosis and scrotal metastasis was 31.6 months (0-104 months). Case presentations included scrotal swelling initially misdiagnosed as a hydrocele (case 1), non-healing cutaneous ulcers (cases 3 and 5), a scrotal skin papilloma (case 4), and a cutaneous nodule (case 2). Conclusion This series of five cases highlights the rarity and diagnostic challenges associated with colorectal carcinoma metastasizing to the scrotum. The extended latency between primary tumor diagnosis and scrotal metastasis, coupled with atypical clinical presentations, underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion. Clinicians should be vigilant, especially when evaluating patients with a history of colorectal carcinoma, to promptly identify such uncommon metastatic sites.