Malignant struma ovarii

Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Aug;4(8):469-72. doi: 10.1038/ncpendmet0887. Epub 2008 Jun 17.

Abstract

Background: A 25-year-old woman presented to her gynecologist with pelvic pain. Pelvic ultrasonography showed a 9 cm left ovarian mass. The patient underwent left oophorectomy, omental biopsy, and lymph node sampling. The ovarian mass proved to be a struma ovarii with numerous microscopic foci of papillary thyroid carcinoma. The patient had no symptoms of hyperthyroidism, and her thyroid function and serum thyroglobulin levels were normal.

Investigations: Investigations included a pelvic ultrasound scan, histological examination of the ovarian mass and omental nodules, and lymph node sampling.

Diagnosis: Malignant struma ovarii.

Management: The patient was referred to an endocrinology clinic for further investigations. Serum levels of TSH, thyroglobulin and thyroglobulin antibodies were measured. In addition, the patient underwent thyroid ultrasonography, which showed a 1 cm nodule that proved benign on biopsy. She was treated with thyroxine to reduce TSH secretion. Follow-up pelvic ultrasonography 1 year later showed no evidence of recurrent disease, and her serum thyroglobulin levels remained normal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Struma Ovarii / diagnosis*
  • Thyroglobulin / blood
  • Thyroid Gland / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Gland / drug effects
  • Thyroid Gland / physiopathology
  • Thyrotropin / blood
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Thyrotropin
  • Thyroglobulin
  • Thyroxine