[A case of Krukenberg tumor associated with elevation in blood testosterone]

One case of Krukenberg tumor associated with elevation in blood testosterone levels was reported. The patient was a 31-year-old woman. She visited the outpatient service of our hospital with the chief complaint of uterine bleeding and infertility. She was diagnosed to have an anovulatory cycle associated with elevation in blood testosterone levels. However, after an examination at our hospital, a tumor of the left ovary was pointed out and she underwent bilateral ovariectomy. Postoperatively, tarry stool was passed, for which she received an examination at the department of internal medicine. Roentgenography of the stomach and examination by a gastric camera revealed undifferentiated carcinoma of Borrmann's type III in the greater curvature of the angular area. This lesion was diagnosed to be Krukenberg's tumor and a gastrectomy was performed. On the other hand, the blood testosterone level which had shown elevation before resection of the ovaries was restored to the normal range after the operation. Various reports have been published concerning the endocrinological activity of this tumor. It remains to be elucidated whether it is due to metastasis of the carcinoma or if it originates from other ovarian parenchyma. However, it has been reported that elevation in endocrinological activity is apt to occur when the tumor originates from the digestive tract.