M Siddiqui1, D B Toub. 1. Department of Medicine and Gynecology, Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19125, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cellular fibroma of the ovary is an uncommon benign tumor. When associated with Meigs' syndrome, it can produce a clinical picture similar to that of ovarian carcinoma. CASE: A 73-year-old nulligravida was admitted to the hospital with progressive cachexia, ascites, a right pleural effusion and a 15-cm pelvic mass. The serum CA-125 level was 1,780. Due to a high suspicion of ovarian carcinoma, the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral salpingooophorectomy and surgical staging for a frozen section diagnosis of sarcoma. Permanent histology revealed the tumor to be a cellular fibroma, and the CA-125 levels fell to normal postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Since benign ovarian tumors may mimic carcinoma, laparotomy and appropriate surgical staging are essential for the final diagnosis.
BACKGROUND: Cellular fibroma of the ovary is an uncommon benign tumor. When associated with Meigs' syndrome, it can produce a clinical picture similar to that of ovarian carcinoma. CASE: A 73-year-old nulligravida was admitted to the hospital with progressive cachexia, ascites, a right pleural effusion and a 15-cm pelvic mass. The serum CA-125 level was 1,780. Due to a high suspicion of ovarian carcinoma, the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral salpingooophorectomy and surgical staging for a frozen section diagnosis of sarcoma. Permanent histology revealed the tumor to be a cellular fibroma, and the CA-125 levels fell to normal postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Since benign ovarian tumors may mimic carcinoma, laparotomy and appropriate surgical staging are essential for the final diagnosis.