Background: The role of combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) in the diagnosis of recurrent ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma is uncertain because of previous reports that PET has limited sensitivity in the detection of mucinous neoplasms.
Case: A 71-year-old white woman presented with complaints of right lower quadrant pain and a palpable adnexal mass. Physical examination and transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a 12 x 13 cm cystic mass in the left side of the pelvis. Exploratory laparotomy, optimal tumor-reductive surgery, total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, appendectomy, and omentectomy were performed. The diagnosis was FIGO stage IIIC well-differentiated ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma. The patient was treated with 6 cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel. Four months after completing chemotherapy, the patient was noted to have an elevated serum CA125 level (72 U/mL), being otherwise asymptomatic. Findings on abdominal and pelvic CT were compatible with postsurgical changes. PET-CT was performed and revealed increased metabolism along the posterior aspect of the right rectus abdominis muscle and abutting the anterior wall of an adjacent loop of bowel.
Conclusion: PET-CT may identify clinically occult recurrent ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma.