A new aspect of metastasis in cutaneous cancer: two cases of presacral squamous cell carcinoma with metastases to internal iliac nodes.

Abstract

We report 2 cases of presacral squamous cell carcinoma. In these cases, it was suspicious that the tumor disseminated to the internal iliac nodes through the direct pathway called the neurovascular lymphatic space (NVLS) around the superior/inferior gluteal vessels or sciatic nerve bypassing external iliac nodes. NVLS was initially reported as accessory pathway which follows the major vessels forming a sheath like structure with an actual or potential space between the vessel wall and the enveloping membrane. NVLS has been reported to be observed as a tubular shadow within the neurovascular sheath by lymphangiographies of lymphedema patients using oil-based contrast material. These cases provide insights into the potential pathway through which a cutaneous tumor disseminates.