Metastatic struma ovarii treated with total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation

Abstract

Objective: To present a rare case of metastatic struma ovarii, review the related literature, and discuss the management.

Methods: A case report of a patient with metastatic struma ovarii is presented. The treatment plan, postoperative care, and follow-up are discussed. We conducted a MEDLINE search of the English-language literature seeking additional cases of metastatic struma ovarii. In addition to the current case, the previous 40 cases of metastatic struma ovarii were reviewed and analyzed.

Results: The mean age of the patients at presentation was 43 years. All patients underwent resection of the primary tumor. The most common sites of involvement for struma ovarii metastatic disease have been the peritoneum, mesentery, and omentum. After primary tumor resection, a wide range of additional treatments have been used, including chemotherapy, resection of metastatic disease, external beam radiation therapy, and radioiodine ablation.

Conclusion: In cases of metastatic struma ovarii, we recommend total thyroidectomy in conjunction with radioiodine scanning and radioiodine ablation. Thyroglobulin levels should be followed as a tumor marker, and diagnostic radioiodine scans should be performed to screen for residual or recurrent disease. Although this treatment strategy is well established for thyroid cancer, long-term outcomes of this treatment for struma ovarii are still unknown.