Metastases to the female genital tract. Analysis of 325 cases

Metastatic breast lobular carcinoma involving tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps: report of two cases and review of tamoxifen-associated polypoid uterine lesions

Two cases of lobular breast carcinoma metastatic to an endometrial polyp are described. Both patients had been treated with tamoxifen and presented with abnormal uterine bleeding. Histology of endometrial biopsy in both cases showed typical tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps with focal subtle stromal infiltration by metastatic lobular breast carcinoma. This was confirmed by positive immunohistochemical staining with cytokeratin epithelial markers. Metastatic breast carcinoma may rarely involve tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps. Because primary endometrial carcinomas may also arise within tamoxifen polyps, these should be extensively sampled. We briefly review polypoid uterine lesions that may occur secondary to tamoxifen therapy.

Metastatic melanoma to the vagina: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of three cases and literature review

We report the clinicopathologic features of three cases of malignant melanoma metastatic to the vagina; only one similar case has been previously reported. The age of the patients ranged from 33 to 70 years; two presented with vaginal bleeding. Two patients had a history of a previous primary malignant melanoma, one a preauricular melanoma treated 7 years earlier and the other a vulvar melanoma treated 2 years earlier. In the third case, a primary malignant melanoma was found on the sole of the right foot after the patient had presented with the vaginal metastases. On gross examination, the vaginal tumors were polypoid; two were on the posterior wall and one was on the anterior wall. All were of epithelioid cell type and were positive with S-100 and microphthalmia-transcription factor. Tyrosinase was positive in two cases, HMB-45 was positive in one case, and MART-1 was focally positive in one case. One patient underwent wide local excision of tumor followed by chemotherapy, one patient had intracavitary radiotherapy, and one had palliative radiotherapy to the brain only. The patients died after a follow-up of 3, 14, and 48 months.

MR imaging findings and patterns of spread in secondary tumor involvement of the uterine body and cervix

OBJECTIVE

Our study sought to describe the MR imaging features and the patterns of spread in secondary tumor involvement of the uterus by nonuterine tumors.

CONCLUSION

Direct extension of an adjacent tumor to the uterus is the most common pattern of secondary tumor involvement. Concomitant invasion of other pelvic organs is also typical. Although less common, hematogenous or lymphatic metastases to the uterus are encountered in clinical practice. Metastases should be added to the differential diagnosis of apparently malignant masses in the uterine body or cervix, especially in patients with metastatic disease or in patients whose uterus shows a preserved shape with involvement by an infiltrative heterogeneously enhancing process.

Cytokeratins 7 and 20, Dpc4, and MUC5AC in the distinction of metastatic mucinous carcinomas in the ovary from primary ovarian mucinous tumors: Dpc4 assists in identifying metastatic pancreatic carcinomas

The distinction of metastatic mucinous carcinomas in the ovary from primary ovarian mucinous tumors (atypical proliferative/borderline and carcinoma) can be difficult because of similarities in morphology. We evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of cytokeratins 7 and 20 (CK 7, CK 20), Dpc4 (nuclear transcription factor inactivated in 55% of pancreatic carcinomas), and MUC5AC (a gastric mucin gene) in 57 primary ovarian mucinous tumors (41 atypical proliferative tumors and 16 carcinomas) and 46 metastatic mucinous carcinomas in the ovary. Primary ovarian mucinous tumors were virtually always diffusely positive for CK 7 (98%), Dpc4 (100%), and MUC5AC (98%) and often focally to diffusely positive for CK 20 (68%). Colorectal mucinous carcinomas were diffusely positive for CK 20 (100%) and Dpc4 (89%) and were distinguished from primary ovarian mucinous tumors by their frequent lack of expression of CK 7 and MUC5AC (67% were negative for each marker). Appendiceal carcinomas were diffusely positive for CK 20 (100%) and often negative for CK 7 (71%) but were often positive for MUC5AC (86%) and Dpc4 (100%). When primary ovarian and metastatic colorectal or appendiceal carcinomas shared expression of both CK 7 and CK 20, they could usually be distinguished by the pattern of positivity (diffuse CK 7 and patchy CK 20 in ovarian tumors and patchy CK 7 and diffuse CK 20 in colorectal and appendiceal tumors). Pancreatic carcinomas shared the same pattern of diffuse positivity for CK 7 (100%) and MUC5AC (92%) and focal to diffuse positivity for CK 20 (71%) as primary ovarian mucinous tumors but were negative for Dpc4 in 46%. Loss of Dpc4 expression is useful for distinguishing metastatic pancreatic carcinomas in the ovary from both primary ovarian mucinous tumors and metastatic mucinous carcinomas derived from other sites.

Immunohistochemical confirmation of pulmonary papillary adenocarcinoma metastatic to ovaries

Metastatic papillary adenocarcinomas of the ovary are rare compared to primary ovarian papillary serous carcinomas. We report a case of pulmonary papillary adenocarcinoma metastatic to the ovary and show how this tumor can be differentiated immunohistochemically from an ovarian primary. Paraffin blocks of the ovarian tumor were analyzed for carcinoembryonic antigen, CA 125, surfactant, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin. These markers are useful in differentiating epithelial tumors of lung versus ovarian origin. The papillary tumor showed expression of carcinoembryonic antigen, surfactant, and E-cadherin, but was negative for CA 125, N-cadherin, and vimentin. These findings support a lung carcinoma metastatic to the ovary.

Uterine metastasis from infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast in a patient receiving tamoxifen

The established relationship between tamoxifen and the development of endometrial cancer causes differential diagnostic problems between metastatic and primary uterine neoplasms. A 45-year-old woman underwent modified radical mastectomy because of left-breast cancer. She presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding 6 years later, while still on tamoxifen therapy. The endometrial curettage revealed undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salphingoopherectomy as well as pelvic and periaortic lymphadenectomy. Microscopic examination revealed neoplastic cells which formed sheets and duct-like structures in the endometrium. The pattern was not that of a primary endometrial tumour and an immunohistochemical staining was performed using human breast gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15) which was found out to be positive in the tumour cells. A diagnosis of metastatic ductal carcinoma of the breast in the uterus was rendered. Uterine metastasis should be kept in mind in patients with a history of breast cancer who are on tamoxifen therapy.

Breast carcinoma metastasis within granulosa cell tumor of the ovary: morphologic, immunohistologic, and molecular analyses of the two different tumor cell populations

Gynecologic metastasis of breast carcinoma is not an infrequent event, but metastases within another tumor is very rare. We report a case of unilateral ovarian tumor arising in a 63-year-old woman receiving tamoxifen therapy with a past history of breast carcinoma. The microscopic appearance was principally that of a granulosa cell tumor, but the presence of atypical cells closely admixed within the classical areas was reminiscent of metastasis from breast carcinoma. The diagnosis of this first reported case of breast carcinoma metastasis within granulosa cell tumor was supported by immunohistologic analysis. The diagnosis of tumor-to-tumor metastasis was also confirmed by molecular study using microdissections of samples from the initial breast tumor and from the subsequent ovarian tumor. When compared with normal tissue, carcinomatous cells in the breast tissue exhibited genomic abnormality at the same locus as the metastatic cells in the ovary. In contrast, granulosa cell tumor areas did not show any loss of heterozygosity or instability for the microsatellites analyzed.

[Incidence, diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian metastasis in breast cancer]

Ovarian metastasis are frequently encountered during the course of breast cancer, concerning one woman in five among those suffering from the disease. These secondary ovarian lesions are usually small and bilateral with a non-cystic pattern and are more likely to be from primary infiltrating lobular carcinoma of the breast. Distinction between ovarian metastasis and primary ovarian cancer may sometimes be difficult and require immunohistochemical stains with various monoclonal antibodies. Primary ovarian cancer remains preponderant however, even in a woman with breast cancer. From a clinical point of view, ovarian metastasis are frequently unknown except in case of peritoneal dissemination. Trans-vaginal ultrasonography scan is the best examination when clinical signs give cause to suspect ovarian tumour. Although, systematic ultrasonography screening, as well as blood screening program using CA 125 and CA 15-3, should not be recommended because they lack sensibility and are too expensive. The development of ovarian metastasis during the course of a breast primary carcinoma is a negative prognostic factor with regards to the presence or absence of peritoneal dissemination.

Gastric carcinoma detected by cervical cytology

This paper is a report on a case of gastric carcinoma of diffuse type in a young female patient aged 38. The patient was still asymptomatic at hospital admission, her only pathological sign being the finding of malignant cells of indeterminate origin at a routine Pap-test examination. Subsequent investigations showed the presence of a poorly differentiated gastric carcinoma, with metastatic diffusion to uterus, ovaries and peritoneum. Only a few cases of gastric carcinomas without cervical localization, detected by Pap-test, are reported in literature. A few other cases with cervical localization have been described. The aim of this work is to point out that a Pap-test smear may reveal the presence of extragenital tumors still unappreciated.

Adnexal masses in women with breast cancer: US findings with clinical and histopathologic correlation

PURPOSE

To correlate ultrasonographic (US), clinical, and histopathologic findings in patients with breast cancer who underwent surgery for adnexal masses evident at US.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A database search yielded 54 patients with breast cancer and with adnexal masses at US and histopathologic examinations. Clinical, US, and histopathologic findings were correlated.

RESULTS

Forty (74%) patients had benign adnexal masses, and 14 (26%) had malignant masses; three patients had both benign and malignant ovarian masses. Seven patients had primary ovarian cancer, and seven had breast metastases to the ovary. All breast metastases to the ovary were bilateral solid masses at histopathologic examination and occurred in women with stage IV breast carcinoma at the time of US. Eleven ovaries with breast metastases were solid at US. The remaining three ovaries with breast metastases had cystic components at US because of hemorrhage or coexistent benign ovarian cysts. Four of seven patients with primary ovarian carcinoma had bilateral ovarian tumors, and seven of 11 ovarian carcinomas were predominantly cystic at US. No patient with primary ovarian carcinoma had stage IV breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

In this small series, half the ovarian malignancies in patients with breast cancer were primary ovarian carcinomas and half were breast metastases to the ovary. Breast metastases to the ovary most frequently are bilateral solid masses at US and are associated with stage IV disease at the time of US.

Uterine metastasis from a heterologous metaplastic breast carcinoma simulating a primary uterine malignancy

OBJECTIVE

To describe the first distant metastasis of a heterologous metaplastic breast carcinoma in the uterus and discuss its differential diagnosis.

METHODS

Light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the tumor.

RESULTS

A 58-year-old woman underwent mastectomy for metaplastic breast carcinoma confined to the breast. She presented 4 years later with vaginal bleeding. The endometrial curettage showed a poorly differentiated carcinoma. She underwent hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy as well as pelvic and periaortic lymphadenectomy. Clinical and intraoperative findings favored a primary uterine malignancy. The uterus was markedly distorted with multiple gray-white, solid subserosal, and intramural tumor nodules. The tumor diffusely infiltrated the endometrium sparing benign endometrial glands. The tumor nodules were distributed full thickness of the myometrium. These nodules were composed of high-grade malignant epithelial cells with areas of chondroid metaplasia. Extrauterine microscopic tumor was present in left ovary, pelvic, and periaortic lymph nodes. The histologic features and estrogen/progesterone receptors (ER/PR) as well as DNA ploidy analysis of the uterine tumor showed striking similarity with those of the primary metaplastic breast carcinoma. A diagnosis of metastatic metaplastic breast carcinoma in the uterus was rendered.

CONCLUSION

A metastatic heterologous metaplastic breast carcinoma with cartilaginous metaplasia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of heterologous uterine malignant mixed mesodermal tumor (MMMT) and high-grade endometrioid carcinoma with rare foci of cartilage.

Uterine cervix metastasis from rectal carcinoma: a case report and a review of the literature

A 59-year-old woman underwent a radical hysterectomy for a metastatic uterine cervix tumor caused by rectal carcinoma, which had been previously resected. Metastatic carcinoma from the large bowel to the uterus is rare. A total of 48 patients (including nine Japanese patients) with metastasis from the large bowel to the uterus were reviewed. The metastatic site of the uterus was the cervix in 27 cases and the corpus in 18. The interval between primary carcinoma and the secondary diagnosis was 17 months. The mean survival after the diagnosis of the secondary deposit was 11 months. Our patient died of lymph node, lung, local and bone metastases 7 months after the diagnosis of the secondary deposit.

Breast cancer metastatic to the uterine cervix: analysis of a rare event

A patient with cervical metastases leading to the diagnosis of a primary breast cancer is presented. To better define the frequency, symptoms, and characteristics of breast cancer metastasizing to the uterine cervix, all cases reported in the literature since 1950 are reviewed. This analysis reveals that in 21% of these cases, metastases were found before or at the same time as the primary tumor. The most common presenting symptom was abnormal vaginal bleeding (57%), but in 32% of the patients, no clinical sign was present. Because 41% of the reported cases were found only at autopsy, the characteristics of this kind of metastatic breast cancer, effectiveness of diagnostic procedures, and treatment options are critically discussed.

Metastatic salivary duct carcinoma to the uterus: report of a case diagnosed by cervical smear

Metastasis to the uterus from extragenital sites is uncommon. We report on a rare case of salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) of the parotid gland with metastasis to the uterus, diagnosed by cervical smear. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature. A 61-yr-old woman with a prior diagnosis of SDC was admitted to hospital with a fractured left humerus, back pain, and vaginal bleeding. A cervical smear and an endometrial aspiration were performed. The cervical smear showed numerous fragments and many isolated tumor cells in a clean background. The tumor cells were large and had abundant, granular/vacuolated cytoplasm. The nuclei were slightly pleomorphic, with fine chromatin and 1-2 small nucleoli. The malignant cells were morphologically identical to the primary tumor and correlated with the tumor in the endometrial aspiration. A diagnosis of metastatic salivary duct carcinoma was made. Although metastatic SDC to the uterus is rare, this possibility should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a positive cervical smear. This case also illustrates the importance of appropriate clinical history, including the knowledge of a primary tumor which may prevent unnecessary clinical investigations. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:271-275.

Neuroendocrine signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the endocervix

Signet ring cell morphology in mixed carcinoma of the uterine cervix is not uncommon. It is rare for such morphology to predominate, however, and there are no reported cases of a signet ring cell adenocarcinoma (SRCA) of the endocervix with neuroendocrine differentiation. A 53-year-old woman presented with abnormal perimenopausal bleeding, and uterine curettings revealed a signet ring cell carcinoma. After clinical evaluation to eliminate a metastasis from an extra-uterine primary, the patient underwent surgical therapy and staging, and was treated with postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation. Pathologic evaluation found the tumor to arise from the endocervix and to be of predominant signet ring cell morphology. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the tumor exhibited neuroendocrine differentiation and helped confirm its endocervical origin. The patient remains without evidence of disease 6 months after primary therapy. This is the first case report of endocervical SRCA with neuroendocrine differentiation (SRCA with features of carcinoid tumor). Discussion of this entity is provided.

Malignant Brenner tumor mimicking a primary squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

An 86-year-old female presented with a necrotic cervical mass that was biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma. She had an elevated CA-125 and a pelvic mass. At surgery, this mass was found to be of adnexal origin and contiguous with the cervix. Histology showed a malignant Brenner tumor with abundant squamous differentiation eroding the cervix and simulating a primary cervical malignancy. We describe this case and review the literature on metastatic tumors to the cervix.

Sigmoid colon carcinoma metastatic to the myometrium

Metastases to the uterus from extragenital cancers are significantly rarer than metastases to the ovaries. Of the approximately 200 cases of metastases to the uterus from extragenital cancers that have been reported in the literature, more than half are cases of metastases from breast carcinoma and only 16 are cases of metastases from colorectal carcinoma. A case of isolated metastases restricted to the myometrium of the right uterine comu from sigmoid colon carcinoma, without involvement of the ovaries, is described. The patient who six months previously had surgery for sigmoid colon carcinoma presented with right lower abdominal pain and a palpable mass in the region of the right uterine cornu. The diagnosis of isolated metastases restricted to the myometrium of the right uterine cornu was confirmed by total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This case illustrates that a growing uterine mass in a patient with a history of primary extragenital cancer, regardless of whether abnormal uterine bleeding is present or absent, should alert the physician to consider the possibility of uterine metastases.

Plexiform leiomyoma of the uterus in a patient with breast carcinoma: case report and review of the literature

Plexiform leiomyomas of the uterus are incidental findings in hysterectomy specimens. Histogenetically, these rare tumors are classified as a variant of epithelioid leiomyomas. Most of the plexiform leiomyomas reported range in size from microscopically small lesions to less than 1 cm in largest diameter, and they macroscopically present as a nodular white-yellowish cut surface. Microscopically, the "Indian-file" pattern of epithelial-like tumor cells of plexiform leiomyomas may be confused with metastatic breast carcinoma, in particular lobular breast carcinoma, i.e.; one of the most frequent extragenital neoplasms metastasizing to the uterus. This report describes the occurrence of a large plexiform leiomyoma in a patient with a history of breast carcinoma, and draws attention to the histological differential diagnosis between these lesions. The results of immunohistochemical stainings for cytokeratin and smooth muscle actin confirmed the final diagnosis of plexiform leiomyoma.

A case of clitoral metastasis without skin involvement from rectal cancer

An 84-year-old woman visited a private dermatologist and gynecologist due to pain in the external genitals. However, no abnormality was found. She was referred to a surgeon in our hospital to clarify the etiology of the pain. Rectal cancer and liver metastatic tumor were detected, and the rectal cancer was resected. However, the pain increased after the operation and she was referred to our department. No macroscopic abnormalities of the external genitals were found. However, a vaginal examination could not be performed due to severe pain. By local examination under anesthesia, enlargement of the clitoris was detected. A simple clitoridectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed that the clitoral tumor was metastatic cancer originating from rectal cancer.

Involvement of internal genitalia in female patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: a clinicopathologic study of 37 cases

Radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer in female patients implies anterior pelvic exenteration. The necessity for routine removal of all internal female genitalia has not, as yet, been investigated. The present study was conducted to investigate the involvement of internal genitalia in these patients. Cystectomy specimens from 37 consecutive female patients with bladder cancer were examined for internal genitalia and urethral involvement. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from hospital charts. Thirty-four patients were available for postoperative follow-up. Of the 37 cases, 30 were transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), 4 squamous cell carcinoma, 1 adenocarcinoma, and 2 undifferentiated carcinoma. Uterine involvement was observed in only 1 case: TCC, stage D1, grade IV. All patients had normal ovaries and a normal vagina regardless of tumor site or stage; however, late ovarian and vaginal recurrences developed in one patient, in whom one ovary had been preserved. Sixteen percent of the patients had urethral involvement. We conclude that synchronous or metachronous involvement of female internal genitalia in bladder cancer is uncommon. Preservation of ovaries and vagina in young patients undergoing radical cystectomy may be considered under strict criteria.

Abnormal uterine bleeding as a presenting sign of metastases to the uterine corpus, cervix and vagina in a breast cancer patient on tamoxifen therapy

Metastases to the female genital tract from extragenital cancers are uncommon. The ovaries are most often affected with the breast and gastrointestinal tract being the most common sites of the primary malignancy. Metastases to the uterus from extragenital cancers are significantly rarer than metastases to the ovaries and in the majority of cases the ovaries are also involved. A case of metastases restricted to the uterine corpus, cervix and vagina from breast carcinoma, without involvement of the ovaries, is described. The patient who had been on tamoxifen therapy presented with postmenopausal bleeding. The diagnosis of uterine metastases was established during endometrial ablation and confirmed by total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This case illustrates that abnormal uterine bleeding in a breast cancer patient, regardless of whether she is receiving or not receiving tamoxifen, should always alert the physician to consider the possibility of uterine metastases from breast carcinoma.

Recurrence of gynecologic malignancy at the vaginal vault after hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

Vaginal vault recurrences of genital tract malignancy are not uncommon, and may be the first sign of recurrent disease. This paper reviews the experience at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.

METHODS

The tumor lists from 1993 to 1996 of the Division of Ob/Gyn Pathology at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center were reviewed, and correlated with retrospective chart review.

RESULTS

Of 36 cases, 13 were from uterine primaries, seven were cervical in origin, eight were ovarian primaries, and in eight cases, the exact primary was not known at the time of biopsy. For the cases where the primary diagnosis and disease free interval were known, the time interval from hysterectomy to vault recurrence ranged from 1.5 months to 84 months, with a mean of 25.6 months.

CONCLUSION

Vaginal vault recurrences are often the site of recurrent female genital tract malignancies. Patients treated for gynecological cancer must have regular pelvic examinations including cytologic examination as part of their oncologic surveillance.

Metastizing low-grade clear cell leiomyosarcoma of the uterus

An unusual case of uterine clear cell tumor is reported in a 56-year-old woman. The neoplasm was identified as a peculiar low-grade leiomyosarcoma, composed mainly of watery, clear large cells with round, fairly regular nuclei. No appreciable pleomorphism or high mitotic activity was noted. There was no necrosis. The presence of occasional areas of transition between these cells and typical spindle leiomyosarcoma cells, together with the immunohistochemical results, allowed the recognition of a smooth muscle origin of this clear cell tumor. The patient was treated by hysterectomy. Six years later she developed an inguinal metastasis resembling an hibernoma, and then later developed a large retroperitoneal metastasis, which was composed entirely of clear cells and was distinguished from a liposarcoma by immunohistochemistry.

The morphologic spectrum of ovarian metastases of appendiceal adenocarcinomas: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of tumors often misinterpreted as primary ovarian tumors or metastatic tumors from other gastrointestinal sites

Twenty cases of ovarian metastases derived from appendiceal adenocarcinomas were analyzed. The most common presentation was a pelvic mass. The appendiceal and ovarian tumors were diagnosed concurrently in 15 cases; in the remaining five, the ovarian tumors were diagnosed before the appendiceal tumor. The appendiceal adenocarcinomas demonstrated four morphologic patterns: 1) signet ring cell type, with or without glandular or goblet cell differentiation (14 cases); 2) mixed signet ring cell and intestinal type (two cases); 3) intestinal type (two cases); and 4) typical colorectal type (two cases). The ovarian tumors were bilateral in 16 cases and were histologically similar to the associated appendiceal tumor in each case. Ovarian metastases that demonstrate signet ring cell, glandular, and goblet cell differentiation mimic metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma. Those that are derived from well-differentiated mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinomas mimic primary ovarian mucinous tumors and metastases from the pancreas and biliary tract. Metastases of appendiceal adenocarcinomas of colorectal type simulate both metastatic colorectal carcinoma and primary ovarian endometrioid carcinomas. The appendiceal and ovarian tumors were immunophenotypically identical in each case. Approximately 50% of the appendiceal and ovarian tumors were positive for cytokeratin 7 (CK 7), and all were positive for cytokeratin 20 (CK 20). CK 20 positivity of the ovarian tumors is consistent with gastrointestinal origin; CK 7 positivity does not confirm ovarian origin, because appendiceal carcinomas are positive in 50% of cases. Metastatic appendiceal adenocarcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mucinous ovarian tumors with signet ring cell, goblet cell, or intestinal type differentiation, especially when these tumors are associated with extraovarian disease and are bilateral.

Retrograde lymphatic spread: a likely route for metastatic ovarian cancers of gastrointestinal origin

In order to outline the pathways of gastrointestinal malignancies metastasizing to the ovaries, we reviewed 103 cases of metastatic ovarian tumors, and also performed para-aortic lymph node sampling on 11 patients at operation for metastatic ovarian tumors. Of the 103 patients, 74% (26/35) with gastric cancer and 67% (45/67) with colorectal cancer had lymph node metastasis at or before the diagnosis of ovarian tumor. Intraperitoneal metastases presented in 49 and 42% of patients with gastric and with colorectal cancers, respectively. Twenty-three percent of gastric cancer patients and 25% of colorectal cancer patients presented with both lymph node and intraperitoneal metastases. The ovary was the first or among the early metastatic organs diagnosed in 51 of the 53 patients with metachronous ovarian metastases. Only 4 patients with colorectal cancer and none with gastric cancer showed parenchymal organ metastases. These 4 patients also showed intraperitoneal lesions, and 3 of these 4 patients had node metastasis. Among the 11 patients who underwent prospective para-aortic lymph node sampling during operation for the ovarian tumors, only 1 had enlarged para-aortic nodes depicted by computed tomography, 2 had grossly enlarged (>/=1.5 cm) para-aortic lymph nodes noted at surgery, and 6 of the 7 patients with gastric cancer and all 3 with colorectal cancer had metastatic nodes histologically. Among the 58 nodes taken from these patients, 67% showed metastatic foci. We concluded that lymph node metastasis is frequently seen in patients with metastatic ovarian tumors of gastrointestinal origin, and hypothesized that retrograde lymphatic spread is a likely route for the metastases.

Metastatic breast carcinoma to the abdomen and pelvis

OBJECTIVE

The role of surgical resection of metastatic breast cancer to the abdomen and pelvis is controversial. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics, surgical management, and outcome of women with a history of breast adenocarcinoma who developed abdominal or pelvic metastases during follow-up.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 female patients with documented invasive breast cancer who were referred to the Gynecology Service between 1986 and 1995 and were found to have metachronous abdominal and/or pelvic metastases.

RESULTS

The median patient age at exploration by the Gynecology Service was 53.5 years (range 27-79 years), and the median interval from breast cancer diagnosis to exploration was 80 months (range 9-264 months). The majority of patients, 32 (80%), had a preoperative diagnosis of a new pelvic mass or suspected abdominal carcinomatosis. With a median follow-up of 14.2 months following the diagnosis of abdominal or pelvic metastasis, the median survival for all patients was 24.1 months. Patients who had no gross residual disease in the abdomen or pelvis after surgery had a median survival of 41.6 months, which did not significantly differ from those with gross residual < or =2 cm (16.1 months) or >2 cm (18.4 months) (P = 0.624).

CONCLUSION

Metachronous abdominal and pelvic metastases from breast cancer may appear many years following initial diagnosis and are often operated on by gynecologists because of their clinical presentation. Surgical resection may be indicated in some symptomatic patients; however, the survival advantage of surgical cytoreduction remains to be determined.

Case report: Krukenberg tumours arising from a primary duodenojejunal adenocarcinoma

We report a case of a bilateral Krukenberg tumour of the ovaries arising from a primary adenocarcinoma of the duodenojejunal flexure. Adenocarcinoma of the small bowel is uncommon, representing 1% of all primary malignant tumours of the gastrointestinal tract [1]. Krukenberg tumours arising from a primary duodenojejunal adenocarcinoma are even more unusual. To our knowledge there are less than five reported cases in the English literature [2,3]. Mazur et al. reviewing 325 cases of metastases to the female genital tract over 31 years, found only one case of ovarian metastasis from a primary small bowel carcinoma [2]. Most small bowel adenocarcinomas tend to metastasize to regional lymph nodes and the liver.

Non-primary cervical adenocarcinomas

We reviewed 16 non-primary cervical adenocarcinomas collected during a six year period. Ten tumors originated in the endometrium, three in the ovary and one each in the bladder, colon and fallopian tube. Tumor spread was identified by combined lymphovascular involvement and stromal invasion in five of the 16 cervices, lymphovascular involvement alone in four cervices, stromal invasion alone in two cervices, lymphovascular involvement with stromal invasion and cervical implantation in two cervices and cervical implantation alone in three cervices. The three tumors with surface implantation alone were of endometrial origin, had minimal if any myometrial invasion, no extrauterine metastases and two had malignant peritoneal washings. Of the 13 tumors with cervical lymphovascular involvement and/or stromal metastases, 11 had ovarian, nodal and/or peritoneal metastases. We conclude that cervical implantation occurs exclusively with endometrial adenocarcinomas, that it follows previous cervical instrumentation and that the prognosis is dependent on the histoprognostic features of the primary endometrial tumor. In contrast, cervical lymphovascular involvement and/or stromal metastases usually reflects disseminated pelvic or abdominal malignancy with a poor prognosis. However histological examination may not afford separation of these two lesions if local cervical invasion is advanced, if spread has occurred by more than one mode or if insufficient clinical/surgical information is provided.

Primary and recurrent colorectal cancer masquerading as gynaecological malignancy

To make clinicians more aware of the phenomenon of primary and recurrent colorectal and anal carcinoma masquerading as primary gynaecological malignancy, we reviewed the records of 8 women referred to our gynaecological oncology unit with primary colorectal cancer (1), recurrent colorectal cancer (6) and primary anal cancer (1). Seven of these patients presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge. All patients had Papanicolaou smears performed; 7 were abnormal and 1 unsuitable for cytological assessment. None of the 6 patients with recurrent carcinoma had been previously treated with more than standard anterior or abdominoperineal resection; no radiotherapy had been given, and only 1 patient had received chemotherapy. These patients were treated in our gynaecological oncology unit for their recurrence by surgery and/or chemotherapy and/or irradiation. All 6 had further recurrences in the pelvis despite this aggressive therapy. Follow-up of colorectal cancer in women should involve gynaecological history, pelvirectal examination and Pap smear at each visit. Correct diagnosis of the colorectal origin of a genital tract tumour is made on careful history, examination and biopsy. An abnormal Pap smear may be the first indication of recurrent colorectal cancer in the cervix and vagina, although most patients ultimately present with abnormal vaginal bleeding. The presence of a tumour invading both cervix and posterior vaginal wall is suggestive of spread from a colorectal tumour compared to the more common lateral spread of a cervical primary.

Malignant tumors metastatic to the ovaries

One hundred sixty-eight patients treated at Hacettepe Hospital between 1969-1993 with metastatic ovarian tumors constituted 21.5% of all malignant ovarian neoplasms. Primary tumors were endometrial (51), breast (27), colorectal (18), and stomach cancer (17), lymphoma (14), sarcoma of the uterus (13), undetermined (11), tumors of the appendix (6) and ileum (4), carcinoma of the cervix (4), and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (3). Overall 5-year and median survivals were 20.0% and 26.8% months, respectively. While worse prognoses were seen in gastric cancer and undetermined tumors followed by colorectal cancer, best survival figures were observed in endometrial cancer patients. A trend toward a better survival was seen with the advancement of the operation from bilateral salpingooophorectomy, and/or biopsy to total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingooophorectomy, total omentectomy, pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy with debulking. Multivariate analysis identified the primary site, grade, laterality of involvement, type of surgery and adjuvant therapy status as significant prognostic parameters. Maximal surgical effort followed by adjuvant therapy might at least have some short term survival benefit in certain types metastatic to the ovaries.

Keratins 7 and 20 as diagnostic markers of carcinomas metastatic to the ovary

The most common carcinomas metastatic to the ovary that mimic ovarian primaries are colonic adenocarcinomas and endometrial carcinomas. Conventional histochemical staining procedures, even in combination with additional immunohistochemical assays, are of limited value in distinguishing between these metastases and primary ovarian carcinomas. In this study we investigated whether the application of monoclonal antibodies against keratins 7, 8, and 20 could help in differentiating between these categories. The reactivity patterns of 40 carcinomas metastatic to the ovary were compared with those of their primary carcinomas on the one hand and with various primary ovarian carcinomas and mesotheliomas on the other. Colon cancer metastatic to the ovary was keratin 7 negative and keratin 20 positive in 94% of the cases; in contrast, all primary ovarian carcinomas were keratin 7 positive and keratin 20 negative, with the exception of two cases of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Ovarian metastases of gastric cancer usually contained keratins 7 and 20. Metastases of endometrial cancer to the ovary and primary ovarian carcinomas usually showed similar keratin expression. We propose that keratin 7 and 20 antibodies may be of help to distinguish between primary ovarian carcinomas and carcinoma metastases in the ovary.

Ovarian metastases from primary gastrointestinal malignancies: the Royal Marsden Hospital experience and implications for adjuvant treatment

We investigated the pattern and frequency of ovarian metastases in patients with primary gastrointestinal malignancies and evaluated the response to surgery, chemotherapy and in three cases radiotherapy. The literature reports that this group of patients have a poor prognosis, but no report has specifically addressed the response to chemotherapy. Using a database which is generated prospectively, we analysed 51 patients with primary gastrointestinal malignancies and ovarian metastases. All patients received chemotherapy but only 36 were evaluable for response; five had adjuvant treatment and ten had non-measurable disease. Seventeen patients had surgical oophorectomy and three patients received radiotherapy. The overall response rate to chemotherapy was 22%; eight partial responses and no complete responses. When stratified according to site of response, 11 (31%) patients had a partial response at sites of extraovarian metastases and only five (14%) had a partial response in the ovaries. Seven patients with primary colorectal cancer had a differential response in favour of extraovarian sites. The median survival was 9 months for the 51 patients. Three premenopausal women with resected gastric carcinoma received adjuvant chemotherapy and relapsed only in the ovaries. In primary colorectal tumours the response of ovarian metastases to chemotherapy is less than that for other sites. Therefore, the ovary may be a sanctuary site for metastases which has important implications for adjuvant chemotherapy in women. These women could be followed up regularly by transvaginal ultrasonography to detect such metastases at an early stage when they would be amenable to surgical resection. Surgery should be considered for selected patients who develop metachronous metastases, as patients may be rendered disease free for several months.

Metastatic adenocarcinoma to the uterine cervix from gastric cancer. A clinicopathologic analysis of 16 cases

BACKGROUND

Metastatic adenocarcinoma to the uterine cervix from gastric cancer is rare, and the clinicopathologic features of this metastasis are unclear.

METHODS

A clinicopathologic review of 16 patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma to the uterine cervix from gastric cancer was performed.

RESULTS

The ages of the patients ranged from 29 to 57 years, and 81.3% of the patients were premenopausal. Nine of the patients had undergone gastrectomy previously. In 11 patients the histologic type of the gastric cancer was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and, in 5 patients, signet ring cell carcinoma. The cervical metastasis was diagnosed 11-121 months (mean, 57.5 months) after the diagnosis of the gastric cancer in 10 of the patients. In six patients, the cervical metastasis was discovered synchronously or before the diagnosis of the gastric cancer. The colposcopic findings were normal in 57.1%, but 56.3% had abnormal cervical smears. In all patients, tumor cells were present in the dilated lymphatics of the cervix. Metastases to the uterine body and bilateral ovaries were common, and half of the patients had metastases to the paraaortic lymph nodes. Extirpation of the cervix was performed in six patients. The prognosis was poor, regardless of the treatment method.

CONCLUSIONS

The route of metastasis to the cervix is surmised to be retrograde lymphatic, and this extension is often slow. Periodic gynecologic examinations should be performed indefinitely for premenopausal female patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Ovarian metastases from cervical carcinomas other than pure adenocarcinomas. A report of 12 cases

Twelve cases of ovarian metastases from cervical carcinomas, most with clinical manifestations of ovarian involvement, are reported. The patients were 23-73 years of age (average, 43 years). The ovarian and cervical tumors were synchronous in eight patients; in three, ovarian tumors were discovered 10 months, 2.5, and 3 years after the detection of a cervical neoplasm. In one patient, the cervical tumor was not discovered until autopsy 7 months after presentation. Four patients had abdominal swelling or distention, three had vaginal bleeding, three had an abnormal Papanicolaou smear, and two had masses discovered during pelvic examination. The ovarian tumors, six of which were bilateral, ranged from 5-17 cm (average, 9.5 cm) in maximal dimension in 11 patients; in the 12th patient, the involved ovary was not enlarged. The cervical tumors were grossly evident in 10 patients. They were usually deeply invasive, often with extracervical extension. Four were squamous cell carcinomas; two, small cell carcinomas; one, a mixed small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma; one, a mixed poorly differentiated carcinoid and adenocarcinoma; two, adenosquamous carcinomas; one, a transitional cell carcinoma; and one, an undifferentiated carcinoma. Various features, including bilaterality of the ovarian tumors, the finding that the histologic features of the ovarian tumors typically were unusual for a primary ovarian neoplasm, and the presence of extensive extracervical disease, led to the conclusion that the ovarian tumors were metastatic from the cervix. Although ovarian metastases of cervical carcinoma are uncommon, this series illustrates that, occasionally striking examples with clinical manifestations of ovarian involvement occur.

Calcified ovarian metastases from mucinous carcinoma of the colon

The authors report a case of calcified ovarian metastases from a mucinous carcinoma of the colon observed in an 85-year-old woman. The radiological aspects observed at computed tomography (CT) are described and the possible mechanisms of tumoral calcifications are discussed.

Metastatic transitional cell carcinoma simulating primary ovarian malignancy

A case of metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) to the ovaries in a patient with prior grade I TCC of the bladder, which morphologically resembled a primary ovarian malignancy on computed tomography (CT), is described. Other tumors whose ovarian metastases can resemble primary ovarian tumors are also listed.

Intraabdominal hemorrhage with pulmonary large cell carcinoma metastatic to the ovary

Secondary tumors comprise nearly 10% of ovarian malignancies; however, metastatic cancers arising from the lung are uncommon, with fewer than 15 cases reported. A patient with pulmonary large cell carcinoma and ovarian metastases resulting in recurrent refractory intraabdominal hemorrhage is presented. Metastatic involvement of the ovary from pulmonary malignancy is reviewed.

Malignant paraganglioma of the uterus

We report a malignant uterine paraganglioma in a 40-year-old female, who died 7 months after the initial diagnosis. On light microscopy the tumour showed a typical zellballen pattern as well as a pronounced cellular pleomorphism. In many tumour cells hyaline globules were demonstrated within the cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically the lesion was characterized by the presence of neuron-specific enolase, protein gene product 9.5 and synaptophysin, and electron microscopically by the occurrence of neurosecretory granules.

Metastatic ovarian or colonic cancer: a clinical challenge

Clinical problems arise when histology is unable to differentiate between an ovarian carcinoma infiltrating into the rectosigmoid region and a colonic cancer with ovarian metastases. To evaluate the discriminative value of immunohistochemistry we studied four groups: (A) ovarian carcinoma (n = 21), (B) ovarian carcinoma with sigmoid stenosis (n = 18), (C) colonic carcinoma (n = 20) and (D) a group in which the differential diagnosis was a problem (n = 19). Paraffin sections stained with a panel of monoclonal antibodies revealed specific patterns: in group A and B a negative Parlam-4 and positive OC-125; in group C the opposite; in group D the 'colonic' pattern in 15 cases, and the 'ovarian' pattern in only 2. The clinical diagnosis in group D during follow-up was ovarian carcinoma in 7, colonic carcinoma in 8, double tumour in 1 and still unknown in 3. This was based on high levels of serum tumour markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (n = 5) and CA-125 (n = 4), laparotomy (n = 4), autopsy (n = 1), barium enema and/or endoscopy (n = 5). The response to chemotherapy in group D was extremely poor.

Nongenital cancers metastatic to the ovary

We review our experience with 82 patients with nongenital cancers metastatic to the ovary. All patients were referred for evaluation of an ovarian mass. The patients had primary carcinoma of the breast (n = 28), colon (n = 23), stomach (n = 22), pancreas (n = 7), or gallbladder (n = 2). The overall actuarial 5-year survival rate was 10%. Five-year survival in patients with metastatic colon cancer was significantly higher (23%) than that in patients with metastatic cancer of the breast, stomach, gallbladder, or pancreas, all of whom died within 58 months (P less than 0.05). Patients with unilateral metastatic ovarian involvement had a 5-year survival significantly better than that of those with bilateral involvement (28% vs 5%; p = 0.003). Five-year survival in patients with disease limited to the pelvis was significantly higher than that in those with abdominal spread (22% vs 6%; P less than 0.04). The 5-year survival of patients with residual disease less than 2 cm or greater than 2 cm in diameter was 18% or 4%, respectively (P = 0.002). This pattern applied mainly to differences in patients with primary cancer of the breast or colon (P less than 0.008). These data suggest that an aggressive surgical effort seems to be indicated in colon cancer metastatic to the ovary, as some of these patients may survive 5 years.

Malignant ileal carcinoid with metastasis to adenocarcinoma of the ovary

Metastasis of one tumor to another is an intriguing and rare phenomenon. Lung and breast malignancies are common donor tumors, while renal cell carcinoma and meningioma serve as frequent recipients. We report a case of malignant carcinoid of the ileum with metastasis to adenocarcinoma of the ovary. Histologic examination of the ovary showed a clear dimorphic pattern consisting of uniform polygonal cells arranged in an insular pattern and highly pleomorphic epithelioid cells forming small glands or solid nests. Immunocytochemical studies firmly established the distinct identity of the two tumors.

Breast carcinoma metastatic to endometrial polyp

An elderly woman presented with an enlarged uterus without uterine bleeding. The hysterectomy specimen contained a large, solitary intrauterine mass. Microscopic examination revealed metastatic poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma infiltrating an endometrial polyp. This metastatic tumor appeared histologically identical to the patient's ductal carcinoma of the breast removed by modified radical mastectomy 6 years earlier. An extrapelvic primary carcinoma metastatic to tan endometrial polyp is a very rare event but should be included in the differential diagnosis of endometrial carcinomas.