Metastatic carcinoid tumor to the ovary: a clinicopathologic analysis of seventeen cases

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical behavior and histologic characteristics of metastatic carcinoid tumors to the ovary.

Methods: Retrospective chart review and histologic specimen analysis of all patients with pathologically confirmed metastatic carcinoid tumor to the ovaries seen at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center.

Results: Seventeen patients with metastatic carcinoid tumors to the ovary were identified. The distal ileum was the site of origin among all patients with identifiable primary tumor. Fifteen patients (88%) had bilateral ovarian metastases. Other metastatic sites (in order of frequency) included liver, peritoneum breast and bone. Fifteen patients (88%) had elevated urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), indicating active serotonin secretion, and sixteen patients (94%) had radiotracer uptake on indium-111-pentetreotide scans. Five-year survival rate was 94%.

Conclusions: Metastatic carcinoid tumors to the ovary typically originate from distal ileal tumors and are nearly always bilateral. Synchronous metastases involve liver and peritoneal surfaces. Favorable survival rates may be associated with octretide treatment and cytoreductive surgery.