Bilateral synchronous ovarian tumours: an uncommon case and review of the literature

Introduction

In the literature coexistence of ovarian and endometrial cancers is the most common in synchronous genital tract cancers. Bilateral ovarian tumours are extremely rare, and therefore limited data are available for the management of these cases.
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common in ovarian cancers and accounts for nearly 90% of all [1]. The majority of cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage and frequently with bilateral ovarian and peritoneal invasion. Ovarian malignant mixed Müllerian tumours (MMMT) are very rare and account for only 1-4% of ovarian cancers [2].
Both EOC and ovarian MMMT usually present with an adnexal mass and advanced stage disease [3]. Also both have similar management including debulking surgery and concomitant chemotherapy. Cytoreductive surgery is the initial approach for both in advanced stages [4, 5]. Platin-based chemotherapy is standard for EOC in first-line therapy [6] and also has a positive prognostic effect in MMMT [7].
We present a case with serous type EOC and MMMT, diagnosed at two different ovaries, and the issue is discussed together with the literature.

Case presentation

A 61-year-old postmenopausal woman was referred to our clinic with a pelvic mass. Her primary symptom was pelvic pain. Bilateral adnexal masses and pelvic fluid collection were determined with pelvic examination and transvaginal ultrasonography. In laboratory findings, Ca-125 concentration was 350.7 U/ml. Thorax and abdominal computed tomography also indicated an ovarian neoplasm limited to the pelvis.
In the light of these findings the patient was subjected to laparotomy with a midline incision. Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoophorectomy material was sent for frozen section and reported as a malign neoplasm of the ovary. Staging surgery was performed for ovarian cancer (Fig. 1). The final pathology was reported as MMMT (carcinoma component serous + endometrioid and sarcomatous component with heterologous elements of chondrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma) in the right ovary with intact borders and grade 3 serous carcinoma in the left ovary, with a tumour on the surface (Figs. 2 and 3). Abdominal washing was tumour positive. None of 49 lymph nodes was involved but necrotic carcinosarcomatous tumour nodules were seen in the left external and obturator region. There were no complications in the postoperative period and the patient was discharged on the 7th day. She was discussed in our gynaecology oncology unit and 6 cycles of paclitaxel + carboplatin every 21 days treatment was planned. Her treatment was performed regularly with no adverse affects of chemotherapy and finished in the 4th month after surgery. In the follow-up, she had a recurrence at the 17th month in April 2014 and was subjected to debulking surgery with colonic resection. The final pathology was reported as recurrence of MMMT. Gemcitabine + cisplatin chemotherapy every 21 days was planned again. After regular treatment finished at 4 months she had widespread disease in two months and despite intensive care she died in the 25th month after the first diagnosis of the disease.

Discussion

EOCs are the most common malignancies of the ovary. Serous histology is the most common type and is generally caught at advanced stages and bilateral ovarian involvement.
Otherwise MMMT is a rare ovarian tumour which occurs from pluripotent mesenchymal cells of the coelomic epithelium. These are differentiated carcinomas of the ovary and are thought to occur from pre-existing carcinomas.
Bilateral ovarian synchronous tumours are very rare. Bernárdez Zapata et al. presented a 49-year-old patient with two different epithelial cancers in two ovaries: a clear cell carcinoma in the left ovary, and a moderately differentiated endometrioid carcinoma in the right one [8]. Semczuk et al. reported a 73 year-old patient with synchronous granulosa cell tumour and a fibroma [9].
Epithelial and sarcomatous synchronous neoplasms have different origins and are more uncommon. Only one case similar to ours has been described before – a 58-year-old woman with bilateral ovarian synchronous malignant tumours [10]. In 2008, ovarian cancer with a mesenteric MMMT was presented by Ma et al. [11]. Arora et al. reported a case of MMMT of the broad ligament in association with uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma along with papillary serous carcinoma of the ovary [12]. Tae Yeon Lee et al. presented a 57-year-old patient with MMMT that originated from both the uterus and ovary [13].
EOC and MMMT are usually diagnosed at advanced stages and have a poor prognosis. Stage and optimal cytoreductive surgery are important prognostic factors for both. These cancers have highly aggressive natures and in management after debulking and staging surgery, chemotherapy is needed. Platinum-taxane based chemotherapy is the first choice for EOC. Multiple adjuvant therapies for MMMT have been reported in the literature including doxorubicin, cisplatin, dacarbazine, paclitaxel, carboplatin and ifosfamide [14-16]. In terms of these approaches platinum-taxane based adjuvant therapy may be a good option for synchronised MMMT and EOC.

Conclusions

We have reported the case of a patient with serous adenocarcinoma and MMMT in different ovaries from the first diagnosis until death. MMMT was stage 2b and serous cancer was stage 1c. The patient was treated with paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy, which is standard for ovarian cancer and well accepted for MMMT treatment. After treatment she had a 17-month disease-free survival.
Today there is an increasing trend in synchronous tumour cases. There have been reports with simultaneous occurrence of two different tumours at different sites in the female genital tract. These may have more complicated management or treatment. We believe that platinum-taxane based chemotherapy may be a good choice in patients with synchronous EOC and MMMT after optimal cytoreduction. Therefore, sharing more knowledge and more cases will be advantageous. Here we have reported a case of serous tumour and MMMT in two ovaries with their management to contribute to the literature.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflict of interests.

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