Krukenberg tumor in pregnancy: a rare case and review of the literature

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2022 Dec;35(25):7290-7295. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1946788. Epub 2021 Sep 1.

Abstract

Krukenberg's tumor diagnosed in pregnancy is an uncommon situation that raises both diagnosis and medical management issues. We performed a review of the existing literature regarding this pathology, diagnostic means and therapeutic approaches, motivated by a case in our own practice. A 35-year-old primigravida was diagnosed with an adnexal mass during the first trimester prenatal ultrasound. Ultrasound revealed a 10 cm right adnexal mass with multiple septae, richly vascularized, whose presence and characteristics were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Due to the progressively increasing tumor size, laparoscopy was performed with right adnexectomy and peritoneal biopsies. Histopathology diagnosed a metastatic ovarian tumor from a mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma. After delivery the patient was further investigated and diagnosed with sigmoid cancer. Even though ovarian cancer in pregnancy is rare, adnexal ultrasound is mandatory when scanning during the first trimester to rule out the presence of associated fallopian or ovarian masses.

Keywords: Ovarian mass; digestive tract metastasis; pregnancy; pregnancy outcome.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adnexal Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Adnexal Diseases* / pathology
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Krukenberg Tumor* / diagnostic imaging
  • Krukenberg Tumor* / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First