Unusual recurrence of ovarian carcinoma 9 years after initial diagnosis

Ovarian carcinomas typically metastasize to multiple sites via exfoliation, lymphatic spread, or direct invasion. Gastrointestinal tract involvement is usually the result of exfoliation with direct invasion of tumor within the mesentery or through serosal surfaces. We present a case of late recurrence of ovarian carcinoma isolated to the sigmoid mucosa, heralded only by brief left lower quadrant pain with hematochezia in a patient otherwise disease free for 9 years. This unusual presentation illustrates the therapeutic dilemma faced by clinicians when a tumor is of uncertain origin and underscores the need for continued follow-up and close scrutiny of new symptoms in patients with stage I disease and for those who enjoy prolonged disease-free intervals.