Ruptured malignant ovarian tumor mimicking ruptured ectopic pregnancy

Ovarian carcinoma is uncommon in premenopausal women and few cases appear during pregnancy. Acute symptoms, such as pain secondary to rupture or torsion, are unusual. The majority of women with epithelial ovarian carcinoma remain asymptomatic for long periods of time. When symptoms do occur they are often vague and nonspecific. Unsuspected ovarian carcinomas may be detected incidentally during routine obstetrical examinations. We present a case of ovarian carcinoma complicating an early pregnancy in a young woman with findings suggestive of ectopic pregnancy. The ultrasonographic findings also were initially thought to be consistent with ectopic pregnancy.