Influence of the primary malignant tumor site on the incidence and features of metastatic ovarian tumors

Abstract

Background/Aim. Ovary is the organ of the female reproductive system most commonly affected by metastases. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and features of metastatic ovarian tumors (MOT) depending on the site of the primary malignant tumor. Methods. The study group consisted of 488 patients with histopathologically confirmed ovarian cancers treated at the Clinic of Oncology, Clinical Center Nis, in the period from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2005. MOT were found in 41 patients. Regarding the site of the primary malignant tumor, those with secondary ovarian tumor were divided into two groups: group A - primary malignant tumor involving the genital organs (n = 30) and group B - primary malignant tumor of extragenital origin (n = 11). Results. MOT were confirmed in 8.40% (41/488) of the patients. Secondary ovarian malignancies were the consequence of endometrial carcinoma spreading in 73.17%, breast carcinoma in 19.51%, stomach carcinoma in 4.88% and colon carcinoma in 2.44% of the cases. No significant differences were found between the group A and group B by the factors of age, body mass index, parity and menopausal status. Contrary to the group A, metastatic tumors in the group B patients were more commonly asymptomatic (p < 0.001), bilateral (p < 0.05), with larger ovarian diameter (p < 0.05), associated with ascites (p < 0.001) and abdominal metastases (p < 0.01), all of statistical significance. Conclusions. Metastatic tumors made up 8.40% of ovarian neoplasmas. With non-genital primary tumors, secondary ovarian deposits were frequently asymptomatic, bilateral, associated with larger ovarian diameter, ascites and abdominal metastatic deposits, compared to malignant tumors of genital origin.