Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix within pelvic-abdominal lymphocysts

Two cases of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix within pelvic-abdominal lymphocysts are presented. The majority of symptomatic lymphocysts after radical pelvic surgery present in the early postoperative period. When lymphocysts become clinically apparent many months after surgery, differentiating the usual benign cystic masses from those involving the recurrent tumor may be difficult. The diagnosis and management of the late-occurring lymphocysts are discussed. From the authors' experience and a review of the literature, it can be concluded that a lymphocyst occurring six months after surgery is unusual, and this should be highly suspect of harboring recurrent tumor. Adequate excision of the lymphocyst wall for histologic study is the most accurate method to rule out recurrent carcinoma.