Objective: The aims of this study are: 1) To known the frequency of ovarian metastasis, 2) to define the role of the surgical therapy and 3) to establish the mechanism of spread of colorectal cancer to the ovaries.
Material and methods: Between 1989 and 1993 624 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma; were treated, 19 (7.7%) had ovarian metastasis; they were divided in 2 groups according to the diagnostic time: A) synchronous; B) metachronous. In most patients a peritoneal lavage were performed; the primary tumor was resected.
Results: The median age was 41.4 years. In group A: there were 9 patients; in 3 of them underwent elective surgery and in 6 an exploratory celiotomy due to colonic obstruction or perforation. The primary tumor was located in the sigmoid in 8 patients and in cecum in 1; the stage of the primary tumor was follows: B1, 2; B2, 3; C2, 4. The ovarian metastasis were located in the left ovary in 6; right, 2, and bilateral 1. The peritoneal lavage was positive in 6, and negative in 3. In group B: there were 10 patients; one underwent elective surgery and 9 exploratory celiotomy. The primary tumor was located in the sigmoid in 9, caecum in 1. The stage of the primary tumors were: B2, 4; C2 4; D, 2. The ovarian metastasis were located: left, 5; right, 1; bilateral, 4. The peritoneal lavage was positive in 6, negative in 2. The 5-year survival in group A was 16% in group B, 0%.
Conclusion: Ovarian metastasis were associated with advanced metastatic diseases. The treatment of synchronous ovarian metastasis is the resection of primary tumor plus bilateral oophorectomy, and in metachronous metastasis it is palliative. The mechanism of spread to the ovaries is by direct implantation and hematogenous.