CELLULAR FIBROMA OF THE OVARY WITH MEIGS-SYNDROME AND ELEVATED CA-125- A CASE-REPORT

BACKGROUND: Cellular fibroma of the ovary is an uncommon benign tumor. When associated with Meigs' syndrome, it can produce a clinical pictu re similar to that of ovarian carcinoma. CASE: A 73-year-old nulligrav ida teas admitted to the hospital with progressive cachexia, ascites, a right pleural effusion and a 15-cm pelvic mass. The serum CA-125 lev el was 1,780. Due to a high suspicion of ovarian carcinoma, the patien t underwent exploratory laparotomy, total abdominal hysterectomy/bilat eral salpingo-oophorectomy and surgical staging for a frozen section d iagnosis of sarcoma. Permanent histology revealed the tumor to be a ce llular fibroma, and the CA-125 levels fell to normal postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Since benign ovarian tumors may mimic carcinoma, laparotom y and appropriate surgical staging are essential for the Fnal diagnosi s.