Coexistent intramedullary spinal cord and choroidal metastases in ovarian cancer

J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2010 Feb;36(1):199-203. doi: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2009.01102.x.

Abstract

Involvement of intramedullary spinal cord and the choroid by ovarian cancer is rare, and coexistence of metastases at these sites is extremely rare and has never been reported. This condition rapidly progresses to a neurological emergency; however, an efficient standard treatment method is not available for this rare condition. The case presented herein is of a female patient with stage II, poorly differentiated serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary. She presented with blindness and other neurologic complaints during the course of treatment for a recurrence at 50 months after the primary surgical treatment for the tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed intramedullary spinal cord metastasis and choroidal metastasis, coexisting with multiple brain metastases and intra-abdominal lesions. Neurological emergency was prevented by administering whole-brain irradiation therapy followed by systemic chemotherapy. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, may offer good palliation for such unusual metastases of ovarian cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Choroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Choroid Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Choroid Neoplasms / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / drug therapy
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / secondary*
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local* / therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy
  • Ovariectomy
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / secondary*