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Krukenberg tumor complicated by pregnancy
1Department of Medical Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Gynecologic Oncology
|April 1, 1996
Summary
This case study highlights a rare instance of gastric adenocarcinoma metastasizing to the ovary, forming Krukenberg tumors. Surgical intervention and favorable outcomes in advanced ovarian cancer suggest potential benefits of resection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Krukenberg tumors are rare ovarian metastases originating from gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas, predominantly gastric.
- Metastatic gastric cancer during pregnancy presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
- Ovarian masses in pregnancy require careful evaluation to differentiate benign from malignant conditions.
Observation:
- A 32-year-old pregnant patient presented with a right ovarian mass.
- Histopathology revealed adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cells, consistent with a Krukenberg tumor.
- A high-grade gastric primary adenocarcinoma was subsequently identified, with a co-existing left ovarian Krukenberg tumor and a 7-week fetus.
Findings:
- The patient underwent second-trimester palliative oophorectomy and partial gastrectomy.
- A healthy infant was delivered via cesarean section.
- The patient remains asymptomatic and disease-free 36 months post-diagnosis of metastatic gastric carcinoma.
Implications:
- Resection of gastric adenocarcinoma metastatic to the ovary may offer clinical benefit when other metastatic sites are not apparent.
- This case underscores the importance of considering metastatic disease in ovarian masses, even during pregnancy.
- Aggressive surgical management can lead to favorable outcomes in select cases of advanced gastric cancer with ovarian metastasis.