Desmoplastic small round cell tumor masquerading as advanced ovarian cancer

Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2008 Jul-Aug;18(4):847-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1438.2007.01110.x. Epub 2007 Dec 14.

Abstract

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare abdominal malignancy usually diagnosed in young adult males. Most patients have widespread disease at presentation, with an organ of origin difficult to ascertain. A 33-year-old female presented to her gynecologist with complaints of suprapubic pressure, abdominal pain, and increased abdominal girth. She had a large intraabdominal tumor on ultrasound, thought to be ovarian cancer. She underwent surgical exploration, which confirmed a malignancy, but the exact etiology was uncertain. Final pathology was consistent with DSRCT. DSRCT is a rare malignancy that can mimic other more commonly seen tumors such as lymphoma and ovarian cancer. When encountering an extensive intraabdominal malignancy of uncertain etiology, DSRCT should be in the differential diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / pathology
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Omentum / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Translocation, Genetic