Ovarian metastases from colorectal carcinoma - Clinicopathologic profile, immunophenotype, and karyotype analysis

Ovarian metastases from colorectal carcinoma frequently mimic primary ovari an carcinomas. The present study was performed to identify possible criteri a helpful in differential diagnosis. Twenty-three ovarian metastases from c olorectal carcinomas and 23 primary ovarian carcinomas were evaluated clini copathologically and immunostained with antigastric M1 antigen, cathepsin E , CA125, vimentin, estrogen and progesterone receptors, cytokeratins 7 and 20 and alpha-inhibin antibodies, We performed a conventional and molecular cytogenetic study on 5 ovarian metastases from colorectal carcinoma using d irect preparation, Q banding techniques, and fluorescence in situ hybridiza tion. Integration of clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and cytogeneti c features is helpful for the differential diagnosis of metastases of color ectal carcinomas from primary ovarian carcinomas. Bilaterality extrapelvic spreading, high mitotic index, and cytokeratin 20 immunoreactivity, and lac k of M1, CA125, and cytokeratin 7 immunoreactivity favor the diagnosis of o varian metastases from colon carcinomas. The identification of 13q gain as a peculiar sensitive, and specific marker of colorectal carcinomas seems re levant.