Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
06:44
Demonstration of Cutaneous Allodynia in Association with Chronic Pelvic Pain
Published on: June 23, 2009
Unknown: a warm, painful nodule on the back.
Joyce Imuwahen Imahiyerobo-Ip1, David Wartman, Jeoffrey Brennick
1Section of Dermatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
Dermatology Online Journal
|September 6, 2012
Summary
A painful back nodule in a 67-year-old man was diagnosed as metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This rare case suggests SCC can spread to trocar port sites after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common cancer.
- Surgical resection is a primary treatment for localized SCC.
- Trocar ports are used in minimally invasive surgery.
Observation:
- A 67-year-old man developed a painful, violaceous nodule on his back.
- The nodule measured 3.5 x 2 cm and was firm, warm, and indurated.
- The patient had a history of stage 1b SCC of the left upper lobe resected 9 months prior.
Findings:
- The back nodule was diagnosed as metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.
- Metastasis occurred secondary to traumatic seeding at a trocar port site.
- This represents a previously undescribed route of SCC metastasis.
Implications:
- Trocar site metastasis should be considered in patients with a history of SCC.
- This finding highlights a rare complication of minimally invasive surgery.
- Further investigation into the mechanisms of port site seeding is warranted.
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