Strumal carcinoid of the ovary associated with peptide YY synthesis and constipation: A case report

A 25-year-old woman with a 3-year history of severe constipation presented with a solid pelvic mass, which turned out to be a primary strumal carcinoi d of the ovary. Immunohistochemistry showed peptide YY, a physiologic pepti de hormone with a strong inhibitory effect on intestinal motility, in the t rabecular portion of the tumor. Bowel function normalized after extirpation of the tumor, indicating that constipation was due to increased peptide YY synthesis by the tumor. Only six such cases have been described previously .