[A case of serous surface papillary carcinoma of the peritoneum metastatic to the brain]

Abstract

A case of brain metastasis from peritoneal serous surface papillary carcinoma (SSPC) was reported. This 68-year-old woman was admitted to our department because of decreased consciousness level for the last few days. Her medical past history revealed breast cancer and SSPC of the peritoneum at the age of 64. On admission she was comatose and irritable. Serum and urine examination revealed the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone that was treated with strict restriction of water intake. MRI of the brain demonstrated a nonspecific mass in the subcortical area of the right superior parietal lobule. The mass was successfully removed in en bloc fashion. Pathological diagnosis was SSPC that was compatible with the previous diagnosis obtained from the peritoneum four years previously. Although the patient received whole brain radiation therapy postoperatively, her condition deteriorated rapidly. She died four months after brain surgery. SSPC of the peritoneum is a rare malignant tumor that is defined as a primary tumor histologically indistinguishable from serous carcinoma of the ovary, diffusely involving the peritoneal surface but sparing or only superficially invading the ovaries. Because of the prolongation of survival resulting from advanced chemotherapy for SSPC of the peritoneum, more patients live long enough to develop brain metastasis. Therefore, SSPC of the peritoneum should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of a primary site for brain metastasis.