[Abdominal metastases from signet cell carcinoma of the appendix vermiformis]

Abstract

Signet cell carcinomas are often aggressive tumours. A patient with this tumour, originally located in the appendix, was diagnosed with peritoneal metastases. When she later got abdominal symptoms, computer axial tomography indicated large infiltrating tumour masses in the pelvis. However, when a laparotomy was performed, the only macroscopic tumour masses was localised to the ovaries (Krukenberg tumour). The surgical intervention gave the patient an improved quality of life, and most likely prolonged survival. We stress the importance of thinking of this possibility.