Metastatic Carcinoma in the Ovary

Abstract

The ovary is a fairly frequent site of metastasis from certain primary carcinomas; approximately 10% of ovarian tumors are not primary in origin.^5,8,9,18,21 The most common metastasis is from a carcinoma arising in the endometrium. Other primary tumors that have a predeliction for metastasis to the ovary are from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract¹ and breast.^4,10 Tumors that metastasize to the ovary much less frequently include those arising in the cervix, fallopian tube, pancreas, gallbladder, lung, and cutaneous melanoma. A study of secondary ovarian carcinoma by Woodruff and Novak²¹ demonstrated that at least 50% of the primary tumors giving rise to ovarian metastases were below the diaphragm and 13% above. Metastatic carcinoma to the ovary is bilateral in from 70 to 90% of cases^6,8,21; unilateral involvement usually is found where metastasis occurs by contiguity. There are, however, instances of unilateral metastases that are difficult to explain, e.g., from the breast or the GI tract.