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. 2015 May;9(5):2230-2232.
doi: 10.3892/ol.2015.3031. Epub 2015 Mar 12.

Ovarian cancer transformation from adenocarcinoma to undifferentiated small cell carcinoma: A case report

Zuo Ping Huang  1 , Xing Jing Liu  1 , Bin Xin Zou  1 , Qian Shen  1 , Ying Liu  1 , Tao Zhou  1
Affiliations

Ovarian cancer transformation from adenocarcinoma to undifferentiated small cell carcinoma: A case report

Zuo Ping Huang et al. Oncol Lett. 2015 May.

Abstract

The ovaries contain cells that have the capacity for regeneration and cancer stem cells (CSC) that are capable of differentiating aberrantly from the homeostatic controls. The histology of ovarian cancer does not usually change in a patient. However, CSCs are the origin of a number of tumors. CSCs are known to exist in ovarian carcinomas and the expression of CD44, c-Kit and CD133 has been identified in such carcinomas. This study presents the case of a patient diagnosed with ovarian cancer with an abdominal mass who underwent surgery, eight cycles of gemcitabine-paclitaxel chemotherapy and irradiation. Pathological examination indicated a transformation from adenocarcinoma to undifferentiated small cell carcinoma. The expression of CD133 changed from negative to positive in ovarian carcinomas. The present case indicates that any histological changes observed in ovarian neoplasms originate from neoplastic stem cells. In addition, this case demonstrates the importance of repeatedly assessing therapy by tumor biopsy throughout the course of ovarian cancer treatment.

Keywords: adenocarcinoma; ovarian cancer; undifferentiated small cell carcinoma.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Pathology indicating moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Pathology indicating poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Tumor biopsy results indicating undifferentiated small cell carcinoma.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Positive cluster of differentiation 133 expression in the ovarian carcinoma cells.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Positron emission tomography-computed tomography results revealing extensive metastatic disease in the neck, thoracic lymph nodes and liver, nodules along the diaphragm, and multiple pelvic nodules.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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