Krukenberg tumor: prognosis and treatment

Abstract

Krukenberg tumor is a metastatic mucinous tumor of ovary that represents 1-2% from all tumors of this organ. It has a poor prognosis and rapid evolution. Up to 40% of cases it is unlikely to determine the tumor of origin. 

This is a case of a patient having a mass and abnormal uterine hemorrhage diagnosis. The diagnosis approach was controversial: abdominopelvic Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) suggests that mass is of colonic origin, but colonoscopy is negative; that is why patient's diagnosis is reevaluated through a transvaginal CAT scan that shows an ovary tumor. Subsequently, endoscopy of upper digestive tract using biopsy indicates Borman IV diffuse gastric cancer, having ring cells; due to the results, the patient has a right salpingooophorectomy using biopsy which shows ring cells in ovarian stroma confirming the diagnosis. 

These patients' survival is of 12,1 months without surgical intervention; depending also on the neoplasia primary origin. Gastric cancer as a tumor of origin generates a 13-month mean survival and even decreases in case of an advanced cancer which is in contrast to colon-rectal metastasis which shows a 29,6-month rise in survival. It is recommendable to carry out early detection of gastric cancer using endoscopic techniques given that Krukenberg tumor, up to 76% of primary tumors, represent gastric cancer.