Adenocarcinoid tumor of the ovary diagnosed during pregnancy - A case report

BACKGROUND: Adenocarcinoid tumors are uncommon neoplasms with dual morpholo gy, showing components of a neuroendocrine tumor with carcinoid features an d an adenocarcinomatous component composed of glands lined with mucin-conta ining cells, some of which are goblet type. CASE: A 36-year-old woman had a left adnexal mass found during the second w eek of pregnancy. Sonography showed it to be increasing in size and eventua lly to become associated with pelvic pain. During the 20th week of gestatio n, an exploratory laparotomy was performed, and the left ovary and fallopia n tube were excised. A diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was rendered by intraope rative frozen section. A staging procedure teas then performed that include d removal of the contralateral adenexa, pelvic lymph node sampling, periton eal biopsies and partial omentectomy. The vermiform appendix and gastrointe stinal tract appeared unremarkable. The patient was discharged. Permanent s ections of the left ovary revealed an adenocarcinoid turner. CONCLUSION: While reports detail ovarian metastases of adenocarcinoid neopl asms from primary appendiceal and other gastrointestinal sites, this case, in the setting of a normal appendix and negative workup for an extraovarian origin, is the fourth documented one of a primary ovarian adenocarcinoid t umor and first diagnosed during pregnancy.