Primary mucinous carcinoid tumor of the ovary

A case of primary mucinous carcinoid tumor of the ovary occurring in a 37-year-old woman is described. The tumor, which replaced the left ovary, was accompanied by metastases in the contralateral ovary and para-aortic lymph nodes. Careful investigations excluded metastatic origin of the tumor. The tumor was solid, but contained an epidermoid cyst. There were no other teratomatous elements. The patient was treated with combination chemotherapy. A second-look operation 9 months following diagnosis revealed extensive microscopic involvement of the peritoneal cavity. The patient's condition deteriorated and she died 1 year after diagnosis. Detailed autopsy revealed peritoneal, pleural, lymphatic, and bone marrow carcinomatosis, but no evidence of a primary tumor elsewhere. Microscopic, ultrastructural, and immunocytochemical findings are described. It is considered that primary mucinous carcinoid tumor of the ovary represents a specific histopathologic entity. Unlike other types of primary ovarian carcinoid tumors, it behaves as an aggressive malignant neoplasm.