The role of surgical excision for the Krukenberg tumour: A case report

Krukenberg's tumour unilateral giant metachronous of colonic origin - Case report

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Krukenberg tumour (KT) is defined as a metastatic ovary carcinoma.

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KT is usually of gastric origin, but can be applied to metastatic tumors originating from carcinomas of other sites, such as the colon.

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Ovarian metastasis of the colorectal carcinoma is uncommon and, when it does occur, it tends to be synchronous, rather than metachronous.

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The immunohistochemical evaluation helps to distinguish primary ovarian carcinoma from metastatic carcinomas.

Introduction

Krukenberg tumour (KT) is defined by the World Health Organization as a metastatic ovary carcinoma, usually of gastric origin. The term has also been applied to metastatic tumors originating from adenocarcinomas of other sites, such as the colon. After radical resection of colorectal carcinoma, metachronous ovarian metastases can occur in 1.1% of cases. Due to their rarity and rapid progression, KTs needs a high level of suspicion. Here we present an atypical case of KT and highlight the importance of the timely recognition of this disease.

Case presentation

A 57-year-old patient presented a 30-cm metastatic ovarian tumor on the major axis, whose primary tumor was a resected sigmoid adenocarcinoma 6 years ago. She was submitted to complete resection of the tumor, whose anatomopathological and immunohistochemical analysis proved the colonic metastatic origin.

Discussion

Besides being unusual, this disease is most commonly bilateral, premenopausal, and synchronous with the primary tumor. Unlike the common behavior, the case described is unilateral, postmenopausal, and metachronous, with a 6-year interval between the primary colonic tumor and the dissemination of ovarian metastasis.

Conclusion

KT is an uncommon and poor prognosis disease, whose chance of better therapeutic results depends on accurate diagnosis and proper management.