Vaginal Metastases from Hypernephroma

Vaginal metastases from hypernephroma are rare. A review of the literature reveals only 16 such cases. Yet in the last twenty-eight months we have seen 4 cases. Lubarsch, in mentioning the various probable sites of metastasis in hypernephroma, includes the vagina as a rare location, though he believes that this form of metastasis is more common than is generally supposed, many cases appearing in the literature as carcinoma, sarcoma, hemangioma, and hemangio-endothelioma. This seems to be true, for bleeding from a vaginal metastasis may be the first indication of a renal tumor, and it is quite possible that under these conditions a more complete examination might frequently reveal a primary kidney tumor. The first case presented here is an excellent example of just such a possibility.