Endometrial carcinoma recurrence in an abdominal scar 14 years after total hysterectomy

Background. Abdominal scar recurrence of endometrial carcinoma after hysterectomy has been only occasionally described and occurred mostly within 5 years after surgery. Direct tumor cell seeding in the abdominal wound at the time of operation is thought to be most likely the cause of recurrence. Case. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy for early stage endometrial carcinoma. She presented 14 years later with an abdominal scar recurrence that was radically resected. Histology of the tumor was similar to that of the primary carcinoma. Conclusion. Recurrences of endometrial carcinoma in an abdominal scar can occur even many years after hysterectomy and the concept of dormant cancer tumor cells is discussed as cause of recurrence rather than direct tumor cell implantation at the time of operation. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Inc.