Non‑synchronous bilateral metastatic ovarian cancer originating from small bowel adenocarcinoma with multidisciplinary treatment: A case report

Abstract

Primary small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare gastrointestinal cancer with a low incidence of ovarian metastasis. Differential diagnosis of metastatic and primary ovarian cancer is often challenging. The present study reported the case of a 45-year-old woman with jejunal adenocarcinoma who presented with right ovarian, left ovarian, abdominopelvic implant and local recurrent bowel wall metastases successively after primary tumor resection. The ovarian masses of the patient originated from SBA, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical results. Following four comprehensive evaluations by an experienced multidisciplinary team (MDT) during the disease period, the patient underwent four operations, 28 cycles of chemotherapy, 24 cycles of targeted therapy and maintenance therapy for 8 months. As of February 2023, the patient has survived for 73 months and has a high quality of life. It is suggested that when a patient with SBA presents with an ovarian mass, the differential diagnosis between metastatic ovarian cancer and primary ovarian cancer mainly relies on immunohistochemistry. After a comprehensive evaluation by an experienced MDT, surgical resection is the primary treatment for advanced SBA, thus demonstrating some benefits for patients.