Meigs’ syndrome: how we mistook the diagnosis in a tertiary oncology centre in India; an opinion piece on the surgeon’s responsibility in minimizing the stress of the cancer patient and family

Authors

  • M. D. Ray Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr BRA IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7059-5383
  • J. R. Jeena Josephin Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr BRA IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
  • Shivani Kapila Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr BRA IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
  • Premanand N. Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr BRA IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20221965

Keywords:

Meigs syndrome, Ovarian cancer, Diagnostic dilemma, Surgeons responsibility

Abstract

Typical Meigs syndrome may mislead the surgeon as advanced ovarian cancer. CECT can identify the huge ovarian mass, ascites and pleural effusion. Mostly Surgeon’s mind focuses towards the pleural effusion with elevated CA 125 as stage IVa ovarian cancer because of the rarity of this syndrome. But it is Surgeon’s responsibility to diagnosis of Meigs syndrome beforehand to alleviate the pain of the patient and her family. Meigs’ syndrome typically presents with the triad of an ovarian mass, ascites and pleural effusion. The latter two resolved after removal of the mass. As this syndrome is a rare entity, this presentation of an ovarian mass may mislead the surgeon, biasing his or her mind towards advanced ovarian malignancy. Along with these if the CA-125 is also raised, the patient is usually labelled as stage IVa ovarian cancer, causing immense distress to the patient and family. This makes it even more imperative that the surgeon diagnoses this syndrome beforehand to avoid the pain of the patient and family.

References

Saha S, Robertson M. Meigs' and Pseudo-Meigs' syndrome. Australas J Ultrasound Med. 2012;15(1):29-31.

Mukur Dipi Ray, Bharat Bhushan Khurse, Tapan Chauhan, Ashish Jakhetiya, Pankaj Kumar Garg. Multivisceral resection for growing teratoma syndrome: overcoming pessimism. JCSO. 2016;14:320-2.

San SA. The pleura. Is Rev Respir Dis. 1988;138:184-234.

Colectivo de autores. Manual Merck 10a ed., ediciόndel Centenario. Madrid Harcourt, Neumologia Capitula 80. Enfermedades de la pleura. Versiόn HTML. 1999;6.

Meigs JV. Fibroma of the ovary with ascites and hydrothorax- Meigs syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1954;67:962-85.

Young RH, Scully RE. Ovarian sex cord-stromal tumours. Problems in differential diagnosis, Pathol Annu. 1988;23:237-96.

Timmerman D, Moerman P, Vergote I. Meigs’ Syndrome with elevated Serum CA 125 Levels: two case reports and review of the literature. Gynaecol Oncol. 1995;59:405-8.

Downloads

Published

2022-07-27