Published online Oct 26, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i20.3364
Peer-review started: June 4, 2019
First decision: August 1, 2019
Revised: September 5, 2019
Accepted: September 11, 2019
Article in press: September 11, 2019
Published online: October 26, 2019
Processing time: 147 Days and 20.7 Hours
The diagnosis of multiple primary malignancies (MPMs) has increased due to the improvements and development of diagnostic techniques, in conjunction with extended life span. Notably however, reports of synchronous quadruple primary malignancies remain extremely rare.
Herein we describe the case of a 56-year-old woman who was diagnosed with synchronous quadruple multiple primary cancers, namely an endocervical adenocarcinoma admixed with neuroendocrine features, localized endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma, unilateral endometrioid ovarian carcinoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma. All four of these tumors were removed in one combined surgical procedure.
To our knowledge the above-described combination of multiple synchronous primary malignancies has not been previously reported. The nature of the association between them is unknown. Further research should focus on the etiology and mechanisms involved in MPMs.
Core tip: Multiple primary malignancies (MPMs) are rare and most involve two sites. Herein we report an exceptional case of quadruple primary malignancies in a single patient, including endocervical adenocarcinoma, endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma, endometrioid ovarian carcinoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma. The nature of MPMs remains unknown, and further research into the etiology and mechanisms of MPMs is warranted.