A primary retroperitoneal serous cystadenocarcinoma with clinically aggressive behavior

Case report We describe a 44-year-old woman with a primary retroperitoneal serous cystadenocarcinoma as the fourth report in the world literature. A contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scan of the abdomen demonstrated a mass with enhanced solid mural nodules and septa in the left retroperitoneum. Serum CA19–9 was elevated at 181 U/ml. The patient underwent a complete resection of the retroperitoneal tumor with a partial resection of the psoas major muscle and its fascia. Pathological examination showed a well-differentiated papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma of ovarian type and locoregional lymph node metastases. Seven months after surgery, the patient developed a pelvic recurrence, and underwent a total hysterectomy, a left salpingo-oophorectomy and a resection of the metastatic mesenteric mass. Two months after the second surgery, serum CA19–9 and CA125 increased to 1,114 U/ml and 218 U/ml, respectively. A solitary liver metastasis was confirmed on a computed tomographic scan. The patient is now being treated with weekly docetaxel and carboplatin.Conclusion The present case illustrates the clinically aggressive nature of a primary retroperitoneal serous cystadenocarcinoma.     

Ovarian carcinoma associated with pregnancy. A review of 9 cases

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to review patients with ovarian cancer in pregnancy, the effectiveness of the available methods of treatment and their prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of all women diagnosed to have cancer of the ovary associated with pregnancy who delivered at the authors' hospitals between January 1976 and December 2000. The demography, clinical presentation, time and mode of diagnosis, treatment, pregnancy outcome and maternal survival were noted. RESULTS: The incidence of ovarian carcinoma in pregnancy in the series was 0.08/1000 deliveries. Of the 9 patients, 7 had epithelial cancers; 4 serous cystadenocarcinoma, 2 mucinous cystadenocarcinomas and one undifferentiated cancer. One patient each had dysgerminoma and granulosa cell tumor. Six patients were in FIGO stage Ia, one Ic, one IIa. One patient was in stage III. Five patients were treated by unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy during pregnancy. Three patients had total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and omentectomy followed by chemotherapy. Debulking of the tumor was done in a patient in stage III with subsequent chemotherapy. This patient died 13 months from the time of diagnosis of the tumor. The overall 5-year survival rate in the series was 78% and 100% for stage Ia. CONCLUSIONS: Association of ovarian cancer with pregnancy is a rare occurrence. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment offers the best prognosis for the patient. The higher survival rates in the series was attributed to a larger number of patients in stage I of the disease and 2 patients with a germ cell tumor and dysgerminoma which have the best prognosis. Aggressive postoperative chemotherapy also contributed to the better outcome.     

Endodermal sinus tumour of the ovary in pregnancy.

We present a case of a 30-year-old pregnant woman in whom an ovarian mass was identified by ultrasonography at 15 weeks' gestation. A markedly elevated maternal serum alphafetoprotein (MSAFP) suggested a diagnosis of endodermal sinus tumour of the ovary. A right salpingo-oophorectomy at 19 weeks' gestation enabled histological confirmation of the diagnosis and suggested a stage 1 tumour. Unfortunately tumour recurrence necessitated further laparotomy and delivery by caesarean section at 32 weeks' gestation. A total abdominal hysterectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy was undertaken with resection of the splenic flexure and formation of a double-barrelled colostomy after which no gross intraperitoneal tumour remained. Three weeks later a new suprahepatic tumour mass was excised and the colostomy was closed. The patient then received four cycles of combination chemotherapy with cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin. Unfortunately she developed a faecal fistula at the site of the colostomy. Germ cell tumours are highly responsive to chemotherapy. Over-zealous surgery particularly involving bowel resection may cause unnecessary morbidity and compromise the outcome.     

Long-Term Consequences Following Conservative Management of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer in an Infertile Patient

A 35-year-old woman with primary infertility underwent an ovarian cystectomy for a 5 x 4 cm left adnexal mass. There was no macroscopic evidence of metastatic disease. The final pathology report revealed a poorly differentiated serous cystadenocarcinoma. Because the patient desired to retain child-bearing capacity, she refused a surgical staging of her ovarian cancer. She elected to receive combination chemotherapy. This was then followed by a negative reassessment laparotomy. The patient was diagnosed with recurrent, metastatic ovarian carcinoma 10 years later.     

肿瘤微环境与卵巢浆液性囊腺癌的临床特征及预后关系分析

目的 利用癌症基因组图谱(TCGA)数据库数据分析肿瘤微环境与卵巢浆液性囊腺癌的临床特征及预后的关系.方法 下载TCGA数据库中469例卵巢浆液性囊腺癌患者的临床特征信息及RNA测序数据.通过R软件运用表达谱数据设计的算法(ESTIMATE)计算出肿瘤微环境中免疫细胞评分、间质细胞评分及ESTIMATE评分.利用单因素...     

Massive ovarian edema associated with ovarian serous cystadenoma: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract.   Khalbuss WE, Dipasquale B. Massive ovarian edema associated with ovarian serous cystadenoma: a case report and review of the literature. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2006; 16(Suppl. 1): 326–330.
Massive ovarian edema is a rare entity that can be confused with an ovarian neoplasm. A few ovarian lesions have been reported that are associated with massive ovarian edema. This article describes the first case of an ovarian serous cystadenoma associated with a massive ovarian edema. The patient was a 17-year-old female who was referred to the emergency room because of lower abdominal pain. Subsequent ultrasound and computed tomography scanning studies revealed an abdominopelvic cystic mass suggestive of an ovarian neoplasm. She underwent an exploratory laparoscopy, and a left salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. The specimen weighed 1610 g and consisted of a cystic mass measuring 17 × 15 × 8 cm attached to a solid mass measuring 13 × 11 × 4 cm. Microscopy revealed a cystic and a solid lesion. The cystic structure was composed of a flat or cuboidal single-layer lining showing ciliated epithelium and focal areas of papillary structures compatible with a diagnosis of ovarian serous cystadenoma. The solid mass had an intact capsule and diffuse interstitial edema, preserving the overall structure of the ovary and sparing the outer cortex. These findings are compatible with the diagnosis of ovarian massive edema. This report of an association of serous cystadenoma with massive ovarian edema broadens the histologic spectrum in which a massive ovarian edema may be encountered.     

Ovarian pregnancy causing obstructed labor at term in a heterotopic gestation

A case of advanced heterotopic pregnancy in which an ovarian pregnancy caused obstructed labour with incomplete uterine rupture is presented. A live baby that weighed 3.25 kg was delivered at caesarean section. Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. The left ovarian mass contained a fetus papyraceus of about 24 weeks gestation.     

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in an ovarian mature cystic teratoma complicating pregnancy: a case report

Background   The question of whether patients with pure stage I squamous cell carcinoma in a mature cystic teratoma (MCT) should undergo conservative surgery, or postoperative adjuvant treatment remains unresolved. Case  A 33-year-old woman with a left ovarian cyst underwent laparoscopic cystectomy at 16 weeks of gestation. Histological examination confirmed squamous cell carcinoma arising in an MCT. At 18 weeks of gestation, she underwent left salpingo-oophorectomy, and was diagnosed as having stage Ic malignant transformation of the MCT, and was observed closely without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. She delivered a healthy baby at 41 weeks of gestation. No evidence of recurrence was observed 14 months after the initial laparoscopic surgery. Conclusion  Although a thorough staging procedure , histopathologic evaluation, and long-term follow-up are indispensable, patients with early stage I squamous cell carcinoma in MCT may safely undergo conservative surgery.     

Hyperamylasemia associated with progression of a serous surface papillary carcinoma

A 60-year-old white woman had a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, hysterectomy, and omentectomy for serous surface papillary carcinoma. Combination chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide was given for 1 year, but was followed by relapse 4 months after completion. This relapse was associated with hyperamylasemia ranging from 2400 IU/liter in the early phase of relapse to 5800 IU/liter in the preterminal phase. While hyperamylasemia has been previously described in serous ovarian cystadenocarcinoma, to our knowledge this is the first report in a patient with serous surface papillary carcinoma. This marker may help in distinguishing the latter from malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneum since this is often an extremely difficult differential diagnosis.     

Serous ovarian cystadenocarcinoma incidentally discovered in a 29-year-old patient: case report

This is a review of a case of Stage I A serous ovarian cystadenocarcinoma in a 29-year-old patient. The patient had no symptoms of illness. She underwent a surgical intervention because of cysts in both of her ovaries. By histopathological examination of the tissue sample taken during the surgical intervention, it was discovered that the patient suffered from a serous cystadenocarcinoma in her left ovary. Five years after the surgical intervention there have been no symptoms of relapse.     

Solitary splenic metastasis of ovarian cancer

Background Solitary splenic metastasis occurs relatively rarely in ovarian cancer. Case report This report presents a patient in whom a solitary splenic metastasis was detected 9 years after diagnosis of stage Ic ovarian cancer. The patient was a 59-year-old woman who was diagnosed with stage Ic ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma in 1992, underwent postoperative chemotherapy, and exhibited no signs of recurrence in terms of clinical symptoms, markers and imaging findings. However, in 2001, a mass was detected in the upper left abdominal region. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested a malignant splenic tumor and CA125 levels were elevated at 485 U/ml. The patient underwent a splenectomy and microscopy confirmed the splenic tumor to be of the same histological type as the ovarian cancer. After the splenectomy, CA125 levels decreased markedly and six courses of paclitaxel-carboplatin were administered. At present (60 months post splenectomy), the patient remains disease-free.     

"Can laparoscopy really complete full surgical staging?" A case of early recurrence and malignant transformation of borderline ovarian tumor

Ovarian borderline tumor (BOT) with noninvasive implants traditionally is considered to be non-aggressive. Recurrences are delayed and transformations to high-grade carcinoma are rarely documented. We report on a patient with BOT with early recurrence and high-grade carcinoma transformation in a short interval after complete laparoscopic staging. A 27-year-old unmarried woman presented with a 26 cm in size ruptured left ovarian mass. Laparoscopic left salpingo-oophorectomy with right ovarian biopsies, multiple peritoneal biopsies, omental biopsy and washing cytology were performed. FIGO Stage I ovarian serous borderline tumor with microinvasion was confirmed. About ten months later, a 15 cm in size left BOT recurred and was resected by laparoscopic cystectomy including staging surgery. Seven months after the second surgery, we found a pelvic mass by sonogram and elevated CA125. A third diagnostic laparoscopy revealed invasive serous carcinoma with multiple peritoneal implants. In spite of radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, the patient died of a progressive metastatic liver tumor. A case of early recurrence with malignant transformation of BOT is presented together with a brief review.     

Micropapillary serous carcinoma of the ovary: case report and review of literature

The term "micropapillary serous carcinoma" (MPSC) has recently been introduced to define a subset of ovarian serous borderline tumors morphologically characterized by a micropapillary pattern and clinically associated with a more aggressive behavior than that of the typical ovarian serous borderline tumors. Ovarian MPSC's are associated with extra-ovarian invasive peritoneal implants and invasive recurrences much more frequently than typical ovarian serous borderline tumors. The case of a women, who at age 28 had bilateral ovarian cystectomy and four months later total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for bilateral ovarian MPSC, is reported. She was free of disease for the next 15 years and then presented with a central pelvic mass. At laparotomy, a recurrence in the form of a solitary invasive peritoneal implant was discovered and completely resected. No postoperative adjuvant therapy was given. To date, 16 years after initial diagnosis of MPSC, and one year after detection of recurrence, the patient is alive, well and without disease. Literature data and this case report support the view that MPSC's should be classified separately from both typical serous borderline tumors and invasive carcinomas of the ovary.     

Renin-producing serous cystoadenocarcinoma of the ovary: a case report

BACKGROUND: Only a few renin-producing ovarian tumors have been reported, and most such ovarian tumors have been sex cord/stromal tumors. Renin-producing ovarian epithelial tumors are quite rare. CASE: A 46-year-old woman presented with hypertension and hypokalemia. Examinations of the patient revealed elevated plasma renin activity, hyperaldosteronism and a pelvic mass. Subsequently, a right ovarian tumor mass was resected. Microscopic observation of the tumor revealed a well-differentiated serous cystadenocarcinoma. Immediately after surgery, blood pressure, serum potassium, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone levels returned to normal ranges. RT-PCR analysis and immunohistochemical staining of this tumor indicated that it was producing renin. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of a renin-producing ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma.     

Ovarian cancer and Mayer�CRokitansky�CKuster�CHauser syndrome

A 48-year-old woman with Mayer–Rokitansky–Kuster–Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, right kidney aplasia, a pelvic-abdominal mass, and an elevated CA-125 level underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and debulking for a presumed ovarian carcinoma. Intraoperative findings included a pelvic tumor on the surface of both ovaries. Pathological examination revealed a poorly differentiated ovarian carcinoma, mixed type, mainly of transitional and serous types, with minor components of clear cell and mucinous patterns. A stage III ovarian epithelial carcinoma, mixed type was diagnosed. The patient was treated with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin and was asymptomatic 24 months postoperatively. Rarely, ovarian carcinoma may be associated with MRKH syndrome.     

Oxidized cellulose (Surgicel) granuloma mimicking a primary ovarian tumor.

A 37-year-old woman presented with left lower quadrant pain and vaginal spotting 1 month after hysterectomy and right salpingo-oophorectomy, which were performed for hemoperitoneum related to a ruptured corpus luteum. An 8-cm left ovarian mass was removed that had a microcystic, mucoid sectioned surface. Histological examination revealed that the mass consisted of a massive foreign-body granulomatous reaction to oxidized cellulose (Surgicel). To our knowledge, this is only the second report of an ovarian Surgicel granuloma.     

Normal-sized ovarian papillary serous carcinoma: a case report

A normal-sized ovarian papillary serous carcinoma is rare. We present the case of a 46-year-old woman with progressive abdominal fullness of one week's duration. The medical evaluation revealed abdominal carcinomatosis with normal-sized ovaries and an elevated serum CA-125 level of 147,365.8 U/ml. Cytoreductive surgery (hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, lymphadenectomy, infracolic omentectomy, peritoneal biopsy, washing cytology, and appendectomy) was performed. The histologic examination revealed an ovarian serous papillary carcinoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered. The serum CA-125 level decreased after completion of treatment. Normal-sized ovarian serous surface papillary carcinomas should be kept in mind as an origin of disease in patients who have peritoneal carcinomatosis, which sometimes is a diagnostic dilemma of the disease source. We report this case to emphasize the clinical symptoms and importance of the early and accurate diagnosis of a normal-sized ovarian papillary serous carcinoma.     

Elevated serum levels of macrophage colony-stimulating factor and OVX1, 11 months prior to the diagnosis of stage IC ovarian cancer

In published trials, CA125 has been utilized to trigger ultrasound examination for the early detection of ovarian cancer. Although serum CA125 levels can be elevated prior to clinical detection of ovarian cancer, only approximately half of patients with stage I disease will have an abnormal value. A combination of CA125, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and the mucin marker OVX1 will detect> 95% of stage I patients, but it is not known whether the markers can be elevated prior to clinical detection of the disease. A postmenopausal patient was found to have small unilocular bilateral cystic adnexal lesions during an abdominal ultrasound examination. No pelvic abnormality could be palpated. Serum levels of the CA125 antigen were within the normal range. Progressive ultrasound changes prompted a laparotomy II months later, and the diagnosis of a stage IC serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary was established. A retrospective analysis of stored serum samples revealed that this patient had elevated serum levels of M-CSF and OVX1 at the time of the original ultrasound scan. Interpreted within the context of a potential screening strategy for ovarian cancer, these data illustrate that either or both of these tumor markers and/or ultrasound could have identified this ovarian cancer many months prior to the actual diagnosis, while the disease was at an early stage.     

Ezrin immunoreactivity in relation to survival in serous ovarian carcinoma patients

OBJECTIVE: Ezrin is a membrane-cytoskeleton linker protein, which regulates cell polarity and signaling. Increased ezrin expression in astrocytomas and uveal melanomas is correlated with unfavorable prognostic factors and reduced patient survival. We investigated ezrin IR in normal ovarian surface epithelium and serous ovarian carcinomas, and its relation with clinical parameters and patient outcome. METHODS: Tissue microarray blocks were constructed of all serous ovarian carcinoma tissue samples removed at a primary operation in Helsinki University Central Hospital between 1964 and 1999 and of healthy ovarian tissue samples. Ezrin expression was assessed by indirect immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal 3C12 ezrin antibody. Tissue samples (n = 440) were scored for the intensity of ezrin immunoreactivity, and the scores were compared with patient age, the stage and grade of disease, and disease outcome. RESULTS: Healthy ovarian epithelium showed strong polarized ezrin immunoreactivity. In serous ovarian carcinoma, the reactivity varied from strong (15.0% of samples) to moderate (57.3%) or weak/negative (27.7%) and the subcellular distribution was typically diffuse. Weak or negative expression of ezrin was associated with shorter survival (P = 0.027) but also with an advanced age of the patients (P = 0.0001), and a higher histological grade of the disease (P = 0.032). In Cox multivariate survival analysis, ezrin immunoreactivity had no independent effect on survival, when controlling for the stage and grade of the disease, and patient age. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast with astrocytomas and uveal melanomas, negative or weak ezrin immunoreactivity in serous ovarian carcinoma correlates with poor patient outcome.     

Ovarian neuroendocrine carcinoma, non-small cell type, associated with serous carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the non-small cell type of the ovary is a rare aggressive tumor, interestingly associated with either a surface epithelial tumor or teratoma. CASE: A 71-year-old woman presented with a pelvic mass and underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy with a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Pathology examination showed a 6.5 cm in greatest dimension ovarian tumor composed of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the non-small cell type and serous carcinoma. Immunohistochemical studies including keratin 7, WT-1, and neuroendocrine markers demonstrated differences in the two components. Microsatellite instability (MSI) analysis using five polymorphic markers also showed a different pattern in the two components. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of an ovarian neuroendocrine carcinoma, non-small cell type, associated with a serous carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry and MSI are very helpful in making a definite diagnosis.