Generalized Scrotal Edema as the First Sign of Gastric Cancer: A Case Report

Introduction

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers. It can also be said that the second leading cause of death due to cancer is gastric cancer (1). It is common to say that gastric cancer is asymptomatic in the early stages and only 30 to 40% of distant metastases (2). The most common sites of metastasis are the peritoneum, lymph nodes, and liver. In more advanced stages of cancer, gastric cancer can affect the lungs, brain, bones, and soft tissues. In women, Cronenberg's tumor is common, but metastases from gastric to ovarian cancers are uncommon. It is also rare in men's genital area, with only a few cases reported (3-5).

There are known skin diseases that can manifest as scrotal pathologies. One of these very rare cases is metastasis to the scrotum. However, primary skin involvement is not uncommon. In a retrospective study of 4020 patients with metastatic cancer (1, 2). 10% of cases of skin metastasis were observed, of which only one case of scrotal metastasis was reported with a prevalence of 0.02%.

Scrotal wall involvement due to metastasis is very unusual, and occasionally, the initial manifestations of primary occult cancers are less common. Various pathways have been suggested to spread gastric cancer, including hematogenous lymphatic vessels, through the peritoneal surface and directly from the stomach wall. Metastasis follows a reversible pathway through the vas deferens or lymphatic vessels. Metastasis in the genital area is also uncommon. We present a 53-year-old patient with unusual genital lymphedema as the initial manifestation of Gastric cancer (6, 7).

Case presentation

A 59-years old man with a history of tobacco abuse and addiction presented to the Urology clinic with a one-month history of bilateral progressive scrotal & penile swelling which was concerning for scrotal cellulitis. He also complained of frequent dysuria, nocturia, and post-void dribbling. The patient was afebrile with normal vital signs. He had dyspnea, moderate painless pitting edema of the suprapubic area, chronic cluster headache, and mild hyperlipidemia with no ascites, masses, hepatosplenomegaly, or stigmata of liver disease.

Performed on physical examination, the patient was afebrile and hemodynamically stable. His scrotum was edematous with areas of induration, and erythema. Additionally, no overt purulence, fluctuance, or crepitus were identified. There was left side palpable inguinal lymphadenopathy and also bilateral hydrocele was observable (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Edema of the scrotum and penis due to cancer

Workup for the scrotal swelling included a diagnostic ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis, which showed no scrotal pathology (Figure 2). Equivocal involvement of the bilateral epididymis and grade II hydronephrosis, para-aortic lymphadenopathy, mild two-sided Piusel with left preference, increased scrotal thickness (21 mm) and hyper-vascular were noted on the ultrasound at that time. The increased vascular flow of the epididymis and testes suggested epididymo-orchitis, a Color Doppler ultrasound of the normal testis was performed for the patient. Increased vascularity of the mass lesion and bilateral small hydrocele were noted on color Doppler evaluation. Normal size and echo of the testicles and normal epididymis were also evident.

Figure 2. Skin induration due to metastatic gastric cancer

Medication history was as follows: tablet verapamil 80mg, Tablet rizatriptan 5mg, Tablet topiramate 25 mg, Tablet atorvastatin 20 mg, Tablet terazosin 2mg, Syrup. Methadone 5cc.

Primary laboratory tests result determined WBC: 12300 (N= HB:11.2-10.3-9.9), Urea:28, Cr:1.49, UA: WBC=24-26, nitrate positive, UC: positive for E. coli colony count more than 100000, ESR :43, LDH:11700.

A neurology consult was performed concerning the possibility of genital lymphedema as a side effect of Verapamil and Topiramate usage. The results revealed that due to long-term use (10 years) of these drugs, lymphedema, in this case, is not possible. Abdominopelvic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with and without contrast showed: Diffuse scrotum edema and enhancement with bilateral hydrocele (Rule Out (R / O) of Fournier gangrene). Diffuse subcutaneous edema, ascites, and pleural effusion (R / O Congestive heart failure (CHF)). Then, according to the report of pleural effusion in MRI and rejection of CHF, cardiac and echo consultation was performed, which showed that CHF is not relevant for the patient.

Finally, an endoscopy was performed on the patient due to hematemesis, nausea, and vomiting that was resistant to medical therapy. Based on the endoscopy findings, some fresh blood was accumulated in the distal esophagus after suction, but no bleeding site was found. A large mass with an ulcerative surface was seen in the cardia (without the involvement of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)). Eventually, the patient was diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma based on the final pathology report.

Due to continued GI bleeding and vomiting, the patient was then transferred to the gastrointestinal (GI) ward. The patient was prescribed to continue treatment with Pentazole and maintain hemoglobin above 8. Then, a surgery consultant was performed for the patient, which showed that palliative surgery is necessary, according to Gastric Outlet Obstruction (GOO) report. Finally, the patient underwent gastrectomy and reconstruction by Roux-en-Y(RY) method. The significant effects of esophageal-jejunum anastomosis, retroperitoneal and bladder involvement, posterior peritoneal fibrosis, and compressive effects on the bladder and kidneys. Subsequently, the patient experienced severe hypotension and increased creatinine to 2.25 due to anuria. The patient then underwent emergency hemodialysis. Finally, the patient died of cardiac-respiratory arrest.

Discussion 

Scrutum and penis are uncommon metastasis sites. In this patient, the gastric tumor was the main lesion of the genital lymphedema, According to the patient's history of progressive gastric tumor and pathology results. Based on our literature review, the abdominal is known to be the most prevalent primary site of genital area metastasis (8). The other main origins of genital metastasis are the prostate, liver, kidney, pancreas, lung, and colon (9). The prevalence of testicular and genital metastasis is very unusual, ranging from 0.02 to 2.5% (10).

Several pathways can cause metastatic cancers from the gastric to the genital area, such as lymphatic, vascular, hematogenous, and peritoneal (10, 11). The main route suggested for metastasis is the lymphatic and vascular pathways (3). Based on the findings, we also report gastric cancer metastasis to the spermatic cord via the lymphatic pathway. The lymphatic spread has been diagnosed as gastric cancer, and cases of this spread have even been seen through the lymphatic vessels in the early stages of cancer. (12). The paraaortic lymph node is one of the final gastric lymphatic drainage places (number 16) according to the gastric nodal places defined by the Japanese gastric cancer association (13). Lymph flows from the upper third of the stomach through the lymphatic vessels along the left side of the stomach, the posterior of the stomach, the spleen, and the arteries of the left lower phrenic. Lymph flows from the lower third of the stomach through the lymphatic vessels along the common hepatic artery and the root of the upper mesenteric artery, which drains into the hepatoduodenal and retro-pancreatic lymph nodes. These lymph nodes eventually enter the paraaortic lymph nodes (14).

Also, a para-aortic lymph node pathway connects the aortocaval and the lymph nodes of the spermatic cord. It is known that the main pathway of metastases from testicular cancer bypasses the pelvic lymph nodes. The lymphatic vessels of the testicles are located next to the gonadal blood vessels, rise through the spermatic cord, pass through the anterior part of the psoas muscle, and terminate in the paracaval and para-aortic at the level of the kidney hilum. Metastasis also spreads downward in a reversible pathway (15). So, this return path of the lymph nodes can cause gastric tumor metastasis to the genital area.

Clinically, a penile and scrotal wall metastasis is usually felt as a firm mass and shows painless swelling. Ultrasound also showed a solid mass that was hypovacic and variable echogenic (2). To evaluate patients with testicular edema, ultrasound is the first imaging modality with 100% sensitivity in the classification of testicular lesions and 98 to 100% sensitivity in distinguishing intra-testicular lesions from extra-testicular lesions (3-5).

Our report shows a rare occurrence of scrotal and penile swelling as an initial presentation of an aggressive metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma. When a patient presents with genital lymphedema and acute swelling, a testicular neoplasm is suspected based on the clinical examination, serum tumor markers, and ultra-sonographic examination of the testes. Inguinal orchiectomy is the initial standard of care, and pathologic examination of a resected testis renders the confirmatory diagnosis. Therefore, recent systematic review articles have shown that rare cancers are more associated with poorly differentiated GCs and sometimes present as a unilateral palpable mass in the genital area. Therefore, the palpable masses of the genital area in men, especially those with a history of gastric cancer, should not be ignored. (12). Although the prognosis is poor, successful resectioning such a metastasis followed by chemoradiotherapy would achieve some survival benefits.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the gastric tumor can metastasize to the genital area through lymphatic vessels in a reversible pathway. This metastatic pathway overlays with that of metastasis from primary Testicular cancer. However, Proper imaging studies can identify early sites (stomach and testicular tumors). If imaging results strongly show metastasis before systemic chemotherapy, a simple US-guided biopsy can be used for verification rather than an orchiectomy. Ultimately, Metastasis should always be considered in patients with a history of cancer, even if the patient underwent treatment years ago, including adjuvant chemotherapy and surgery.

Authors’ contributions

All authors contributed equally.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to the Department of Urology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Conflict of interest  

The author declares that they have not known competing for financial interests or personal relationships could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Funding 

There is no funding.

Ethical statement

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient to publish his case.

Data availability

Data will be provided on request.

Abbreviations

CHF         Congestive heart failure

GC           Gastric cancer

GI            Gastrointestinal

GOO       Gastric outlet obstruction

LES          Lower esophageal sphincter

MRI         Magnetic resonance imaging

RY           Roux-en-Y