A 57-year-old Brazilian woman with a giant mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary: a case report

Abstract

IntroductionGiant cystadenocarcinomas of the ovary are rarely described conditions.Case presentationThe authors describe a 57-year-old Brazilian woman who presented with an increase in abdominal girth in February 2003. Imaging studies showed a giant abdominal pelvic mass with probable origin in the right ovary. Cancer antigen-125 was elevated, while carcinoembrionic antigen and alpha-fetoprotein were normal. Total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingoophorectomy and omentectomy were done. The mass weighed 40Kg, and the histopathology study revealed a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. She underwent chemotherapy with paclitaxel and cisplatin with no side effects. Under follow-up for more than 10 years, she is asymptomatic and with normal imaging and laboratory parameters, including the cancer antigen-125 marker.ConclusionThis huge tumor evolved for a long time unsuspected and without metastases in a patient from a developing region. The diagnostic and management challenges posed by this unexpected and unusual presentation of an ovarian cystadenocarcinoma are discussed.

Giant ovarian cystadenocarcinoma in an adult patient, a rare finding in modern times

“…The largest tumor of the ovary weighed 137.4 kg and was completely removed by O’Hanlan in 1994. Since then, the incidence of giant ovarian masses has declined due to the advancement in medical information and easier access to health-care [2, 5]. Nonetheless, rare cases such as ours can still occur.…”

“…If doubt persists exploratory surgery either with a laparoscopic or conventional approach is an essential part of the investigation for a patient [1]. Masses less than 8 cm in a premenopausal woman and less than 5 cm in a postmenopausal woman can be conservatively managed, however giant ones require resection because of their symptoms due to their size such as a respiratory compromise or abdominal pain and their inherent risk of malignancy [5, 6]. Complete resection without injuring the bowel or other organs along with prevention of spillage of the cyst fluid into the cavity, either with a laparoscopic or open approach, must be achieved [1, 2, 7].…”

Giant mucinous ovarian cystadenocarcinoma

“…9 Mattioda de Lima et al published their removal of cystadenocarcinom of weight 40 kg from a 57-year-old Brazilian female. 10 In a 52-year-old female in the post-menopause period, a solid bilateral ovarian mass was diagnosed and removed with the size of right 25 x 30 cm, and left 15 x 12 cm, with weight 6.5 kg. Pathohystologically ovarian adenocarcinoma was confirmed by Satpathy.…”

Giant ovarian cyst masquerading as a massive ascites: a case report

“…Giant ovarian cysts (GOCs) are rare tumours of the ovary presenting with diameters greater than 10 cm [ 1 , 2 ]. Ovarian cysts are generally asymptomatic at early stages causing symptoms only after reaching enormous dimensions, and consequently they are often diagnosed late [ 1 , 3 , 4 ].…”

“…Giant ovarian cysts (GOCs) are rare tumours of the ovary presenting with diameters greater than 10 cm [ 1 , 2 ]. Ovarian cysts are generally asymptomatic at early stages causing symptoms only after reaching enormous dimensions, and consequently they are often diagnosed late [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]. The clinical symptoms of ovarian cysts are usually progressive abdominal distension, nonspecific diffuse abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding and symptoms related to organs compression such as constipation, early satiety, vomiting and frequent micturition [ 3 , 5 – 8 ].…”