Triple malignancy in a single patient including a squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, a colloid adenocarcinoma of the colon and a lung adenocarcinoma: A case report and literature review

Introduction The association of two cancers in the same patient is unusual but has been widely reported in the literature, while triple malignancy in the same patient is exceptional. Indeed, only very rare cases have been described. Case presentation A 70-year-old woman treated in our institute in 2006 for a tumor of the cervix. She underwent extrafascial hysterectomy. Pathology revealed a well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (pT1N0M0). No external pelvic radiation or brachytherapy were done. The patient remained in good control until 2013 when she presented a tumor of the ascending colon. A right hemicolectomy was made. Pathology confirmed a colloid adenocarcinoma (pT3N0M0). No adjuvant chemotherapy was given. Three years later, a Computed tomography scan of the chest revealed a nodule of the lower lobe of the left lung. Biopsy was made. Histology with immunochemistry revealed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma. Positron emission tomography scan showed abnormal fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the lung nodule with no anomaly in mediastinal nodes and no metastasis. A left lower lobectomy was performed with lymph node dissection. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of 2.5 cm lung adenocarcinoma without node invasion (pT1N0M0). No chemotherapy was given. After 14 months, the patient remained in good control. Conclusions Triple malignancy in a single patient is exceptional. The management depend on stages. Surgery is the standard of care in localized cancers.