Lung cancer metastatic to a cervical polyp.

Background: We describe an unusual finding of a lung cancer metastatic to a cervical polyp.

Case: A 69-year-old female with metastatic lung cancer was referred for evaluation of an asymptomatic cervical polyp. The polyp was removed and pathologic examination revealed a focus of invasive adenocarcinoma with signet ring features within a polypoid fragment of squamous mucosa. All studies suggest a primary pulmonary origin.

Conclusion: Cervical polyps occur in up to 5% of women and 1.7% contain carcinomatous changes. Most malignant polyps result from the progression of localized dysplasia, but distant metastases have been reported. We were unable to find any prior report of a primary lung cancer metastatic to a cervical polyp. Although removal or biopsy of asymptomatic polyps is reasonable, further studies need to be done.