Cervical metastases in advanced ovarian malignancies

Cervical metastases from ovarian malignancies are a rare event. In order to better define the incidence and pathogenesis of this phenomenon we retrospectively reviewed the charts and pathologic material from 171 Stage III ovarian malignancies. Nine patients (5.3%) were identified with cervical metastases and three patterns of spread to the cervix were recognized: 1) lymphatic permeation only; 2) para-cervical soft tissue extension and 3) direct stromal myometrial invasion. All of the patients with cervical metastases had high grade (Broder's grade III or IV) tumors and extensive abdominal disease at presentation. Although four patients had a positive or suspicious pap smear, none of these had cervical involvement. We conclude that ovarian metastases to the cervix are a rare event, occurring late in the course of the disease and arise from a variety of modes of spread.