Primary Papillary Serous Carcinoma of The Canal of Nuck A Case Report

Abstract

The canal of Nuck is named after the peritoneal pouch that remains when the parietal peritoneum—homologous to the processus vaginalis in males—fails to close within the inguinal canal. Incomplete obliteration of this canal may lead to fluid accumulation, forming a cyst of the canal of Nuck, or may allow the protrusion of intra-abdominal organs, resulting in an indirect inguinal hernia. Primary malignancies arising from the canal of Nuck are exceedingly rare.

We report the case of a 59-year-old female who presented to the general surgery outpatient clinic with a six-month history of swelling in the right inguinal region. Based on physical examination, ultrasonography, and MRI findings, a preliminary diagnosis of a canal of Nuck cyst was established, and surgical excision was planned. Intraoperatively, the cyst was completely excised, and histopathological examination revealed serous papillary carcinoma. Subsequent evaluations, including chest/abdominal CT and PET/CT, revealed no other primary malignant foci or systemic metastases, confirming the diagnosis of primary carcinoma of the canal of Nuck. Adjuvant treatment was recommended; however, the patient was subsequently lost to follow-up. Given the exceptional rarity of primary tumors of the canal of Nuck, this case is presented to contribute to the existing literature and support clinical decision-making in similar presentations.