Malignant tumor masquerading as eosinophilic gastroenteritis

A 49-year-old patient presented with urticaria, vomiting, diarrhea and peripheral eosinophilia. A histological diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis was made. Within 3 weeks of admission a highly papillary adenocarcinoma of the right ovary was diagnosed. The gastrointestinal symptoms and the eosinophilia disappeared after partial resection of the tumor and chemotherapy. A possible relationship between cancer, eosinophilia and eosinophilic gastroenteritis is discussed.