Management of a rapidly enlarging new adnexal mass: a rare case of desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the ovary arising in pregnancy

Gynecol Oncol Rep. 2016 May 26:17:23-5. doi: 10.1016/j.gore.2016.05.008. eCollection 2016 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an extremely rare sarcomatous tumor, which is most commonly seen in men. Clinicians managing a patient with a rapidly enlarging mass in pregnancy should be aware of the risk for malignancy.

Case: A 31-year-old woman was found to have a newly enlarged ovarian mass in the second trimester. She subsequently underwent a laparotomy for removal, with chemotherapy for presumed poorly differentiated ovarian malignancy. Ultimately she was diagnosed with a desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the ovary and had progression at time of delivery. Following cesarean delivery, she had a tumor reductive surgery. She has completed 12 cycles of intensive chemotherapy and is alive with disease at 14 months.

Conclusion: Care should be taken not to delay evaluation of a rapidly enlarging mass in pregnancy. While this tumor type is extremely rare, a malignancy in pregnancy must be ruled out in this clinical scenario.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Ovary; Pregnancy; Sarcoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports