[Cutaneous metastasis of a cloacogenic tumor]

A case of cloacogenic carcinoma with cutaneous metastases in a 74 year old man is reported. The patient presented with a six months history of two polyps of the lowest portion of the anal canal. Physical examination of the inguino-scrotal area revealed a 5 X 7 cm. hard infiltrative plaque with three ulcero-vegetative scars. Histologic examination of both polyps revealed two of the four cytologic patterns described in this neoplasm. One polyp showed undifferentiated cells, type IV and second one, type II differentiated. The biopsy of the cutaneous metastases showed dermal infiltrative clusters of the cytologic type II differentiated epidermal cells. Treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy was ineffective. Cloacogenic carcinoma of the canal anal is a transitional cells neoplasm believed to arise from vestigial remnants of cloacal origin. Metastases occurred in 19% of cases but cutaneous colonization develops exceptionally.