Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Non-bacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis and Systemic Embolization

Ischemic stroke with concomitant clear cell carcinoma of the ovary: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke is a rare event associated with an elevated risk of blood clot formation owing to an underlying malignancy. Herein, we present a case of ovarian carcinoma that led to cerebral infarction.

CASE SUMMARY

A 43-year-old woman experienced sudden onset right-sided paralysis and difficulty speaking two days after discovery of a large ovarian tumor measuring approximately 14 cm, which was suspected to be malignant. Further examination revealed left middle cerebral artery infarction. The patient had a history of hypertension and adenomyosis. Following stabilization with heparin treatment and vital signs management, the patient underwent debulking surgery, including total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and bilateral pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection. The final diagnosis was clear cell carcinoma of the right ovary (stage IA). Subsequently, the patient completed six rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy while simultaneously undergoing rehabilitation. Presently, the patient is able to walk independently, although she still experiences aphasia.

CONCLUSION

Prompt medical intervention and interdisciplinary care are crucial in the setting of incidental findings such as a large ovarian tumor.

A case of multifocal stroke-the first presentation of underlying ovarian malignancy

Ischaemic stroke is a rare manifestation of hypercoagulability induced by underlying malignancy. It is proposed that paraneoplastic non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is the most common cause, predisposing to the formation of friable valvular lesions composed of platelets and fibrin that embolize commonly. Pancreas, gallbladder, stomach, colon and gynaecological malignancies have all been associated with NBTE. We describe a female patient who presented to our facility with syncope and limb weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed ischaemic strokes in both the anterior and posterior circulation. Further investigation revealed a pelvic mass that was biopsy proven to be ovarian malignancy. Prognosis is heavily reliant on disease stage, thus diagnostic clues suggesting the possibility of underlying malignancy in the presentation of stroke should prompt a thorough investigation to exclude malignancy.

Correction of coagulopathy associated with non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) by surgical debulking in a case of ovarian clear cell carcinoma

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Ovarian cancer, particularly clear cell carcinoma, creates a hypercoagulable state.

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This state can predispose to non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE).

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NBTE can embolize and cause widespread arterial infarction.

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NBTE is sometimes associated with a treatment refractory disseminated coagulopathy.

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Surgical removal of the primary mass can sometimes reverse the coagulopathy.

A rare case of occipital stroke as a consequence of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis in ovarian clear cell carcinoma: a case report

Hypercoagulability occurs in 15% of patients with malignancy and represents a clinical spectrum ranging from abnormal coagulation tests but no clinically evident thromboembolic disease, to arterial and venous thrombosis, migratory thrombophlebitis, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The combination of increased procoagulant activity and decreased fibrinolytic activity accelerates the prothrombotic potential of endothelial cells in malignancy. NBTE is a rare manifestation of cancer-induced hypercoagulability and is commonly seen with mucin-producing adenocarcinomas, but rarely seen with ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). Cerebrovascular embolization ranges from 14–91% in NBTE. We report a rare case of a 62-year-old female presenting with occipital stroke as a consequence of NBTE in OCCC. Association of NBTE in OCCC has only been reported in 2 cases so far, but presentation with stroke has never been reported in the literature.