Difficult Diagnosis of Peritoneal Serous Papillary Carcinoma in a 63-year-old Woman: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (PSPC) is a rare disease. It is clinically and histologically similar to progressive ovarian serous adenocarcinoma and involves normal-sized ovaries, making it challenging to diagnose. In this report, we describe a case of peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma that was difficult to identify and how we made a correct diagnosis in order to begin a timely course of treatment.

Case presentation: A 63-year-old woman with chief complaints of dizziness and abdominal pain was examined, but showed no particular abnormality. Class III cytology of the endometrium was detected through magnetic resonance imaging and a laparotomy was performed on suspicion of endometrial cancer. The patient was finally diagnosed with peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma and was treated with surgical resection and the standard indicated course of chemotherapy.

Conclusions: The diagnosis and treatment of peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma may be delayed or may not be performed unless Class III findings are detected through uterine mucosal cytology before surgery. Surgeons should not hesitate to perform laparotomy when necessary to identify and appropriately treat patients, even if abnormalities are not detected in the preoperative examination.