Palliative radiotherapy for the skin metastasis of ovarian cancer: a case report and review of the literature

Med Oncol. 2010 Sep;27(3):628-31. doi: 10.1007/s12032-009-9259-z. Epub 2009 Jun 18.

Abstract

Ovarian cancer which is the most common cause of death among all gynecological malignancies tends to metastasize through peritoneal cavity. Skin metastasis, however, is a very rare clinical entity and related with poor prognosis. We report a 43-year-old patient with recurrent ovarian cancer presented with extensive abdominal skin metastasis approximately 6 years after the initial diagnosis. Patient was treated with radiotherapy with electrons to a total dose of 37.5 Gy given in 2.5 Gy per fraction per day. Skin metastasis showed good response to radiotherapy, and the patient has been alive for 7 months after radiotherapy with no recurrences on abdominal skin. Radiotherapy might be considered as an efficient palliative treatment option for the skin metastasis of ovarian cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / drug therapy
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / radiotherapy*
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / secondary
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / surgery
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / drug therapy
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / radiotherapy*
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / secondary
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / surgery
  • Dose Fractionation, Radiation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypopigmentation / etiology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / surgery
  • Palliative Care
  • Radiodermatitis / etiology
  • Radiotherapy, High-Energy* / adverse effects
  • Skin Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Telangiectasis / etiology