Ovarian metastasis of primary biliary and gallbladder carcinomas

The ovary is a frequent site of metastasis from a wide variety of malignant neoplasias, with the majority originating in the GI tract. The best known tumor of this type is signet ring cell adenocarcinoma (Krukenberg tumor). The gallbladder and bile ducts are rare sources of these metastases. We are reporting two such cases in which the patients presented with no hepatic symptoms and vague gastrointestinal complaints. The gallbladder and bile duct carcinomas were incidental findings during exploratory laparatomy for an ovarian mass.