# Metastatic Mammary-Like Adenocarcinoma of the Vulva Responding to Cyclin-Dependent Kinase (CDK) Inhibitor: A Case Report and Literature Review

**Authors:** Filipa Pereira, Joana L Pimenta, Mariana Rei, Carla R Dias, Deolinda Pereira

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.93598 · 2025-09-30

## TL;DR

A rare case of vulvar cancer resembling breast cancer responded well to a drug targeting cell cycle proteins.

## Contribution

Reports a rare metastatic vulvar tumor responding to CDK inhibitor treatment typically used for breast cancer.

## Key findings

- A 47-year-old patient with metastatic vulvar mammary-like adenocarcinoma showed response to ribociclib and aromatase inhibitor.
- The treatment protocol followed guidelines for HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.
- This case highlights potential therapeutic approaches for this rare tumor type.

## Abstract

Mammary-like adenocarcinoma originating in the vulva is extremely rare, even rarer when metastasized at diagnosis. It may arise from the primitive mammary ridge or mammary-like glands of the skin in the anogenital region. We report a case of a 47-year-old woman with diffuse bone metastasis and a vulvar lesion compatible with mammary-type adenocarcinoma, with no evidence of primary breast cancer. Systemic treatment followed protocols for hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced breast cancer, using an aromatase inhibitor and ribociclib, resulting in a favorable clinical and metabolic response. Documenting this case contributes to the understanding and clinical management of this rare neoplasm.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** Cdk4 (Cyclin-dependent kinase 4)
- **Chemicals:** ribociclib (PubChem CID 44631912)
- **Diseases:** breast cancer (MONDO:0004989)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CYP19A1 (cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1) [NCBI Gene 1588] {aka ARO, ARO1, CPV1, CYAR, CYP19, CYPXIX}, NR4A1 (nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1) [NCBI Gene 3164] {aka GFRP1, HMR, N10, NAK-1, NGFIB, NP10}, ERBB2 (erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2) [NCBI Gene 2064] {aka CD340, HER-2, HER-2/neu, HER2, MLN 19, MLN-19}
- **Diseases:** breast cancer (MESH:D001943), bone metastasis (MESH:D009362), vulvar lesion (MESH:D014845), neoplasm (MESH:D009369), Mammary-Like Adenocarcinoma (MESH:D000230)
- **Chemicals:** ribociclib (MESH:C000589651)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12575008/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12575008