Life-threatening tracheal metastasis complicating ovarian cancer - A case report

Background. Tracheal metastasis is a rare manifestation of recurrent ovaria n cancer. Case. We describe tracheal metastasis causing increasing respiratory distre ss in a patient with progressive stage IIIc undifferentiated serous-papilla ry cancer involving the peritoneum and pleura and the retroperitoneal, diap hragmatic, parahilar, mediastinal, pretracheal, paratracheal, and supraclav icular lymph nodes. The situation necessitated rapid endoscopic laser ablat ion. Conclusion. Malignant tracheal obstruction should be considered in the diff erential diagnosis of patients with advanced ovarian cancer and respiratory distress. (C) 1999 Academic Press.