Ovarian primary or secondary: cracking the nut

Authors

  • Elamurugan Sujindra Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India
  • Sankappa P. Sinhasan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India
  • Sai Chandran Sabita Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India
  • Arounassalame Bupathy Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20163463

Keywords:

Krukenberg tumor, Adenocarcinoma, Sigmoid colon

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is one of the commonest gynecological cancers and ranks among the top five deadliest cancers in most countries. Tumors of the ovary are majority of the time primary with a small percentage of secondary malignancy. Metastasize to the ovaries can occur from many organs, including the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, gall bladder, appendix, pancreas, breast, uterus, fallopian tube, and peritoneum. Stomach is the primary site in 70% of cases. Carcinomas of colon, appendix, and breast are the next most common primary sites. These are referred to as Krukenberg tumor, accounting for 1% to 2% of all ovarian tumors. We report a case of 40 year old female presenting with bilateral solid and cystic ovarian tumor with small primary tumor located in sigmoid colon. The case report highlights the importance of preoperative workup needed to search for primary tumor, as Krukenberg’s tumors are known for poor outcome.

References

Ghaffar A, Reddy KS, Singhi M. Burden of non-communicable diseases in South Asia. British Med Journ. 2004:328:807-10.

Ferlay J, Shin HR, Bray F, Forman D, Mathers C, Parkin DM. Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide. International Agency for Research on Cancer. 2010.

Novak C, Gray LA. Krukenberg tumor of the ovary: clinical and pathological study of four cases. Surgery Gynecology and Obstetrics. 1938:66;157-67.

Okamoto T, Matsumura N, Mandai M. Distinguishing primary from secondary mucinous ovarian tumors: an algorithm using the novel marker DPEP1. Modern Pathology. 2011;24:267-76.

Parker RT and Currier JL. Metastatic tumors of ovary. Gynecologic Oncology. 1992:987-1000.

Al-Agha M, Nicastri AD. An in-depth look at Krukenberg tumor: an overview. Archives of Pathology Laboratory Medicine. 2006:130:1725-30.

Downloads

Published

2016-12-15

Issue

Section

Case Reports