Korean J Obstet Gynecol.
1999 Apr;42(4):704-711.
Clinicopathologic Analysis of 32 Cases of Krukenberg Tumors
Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics of 32 patients with Krukenberg tumor diagnosed and treated in Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan from June 1989 to May 1998. Methods Age distribution, symptoms and signs, primary site of tumor, pathologic findings, mode of therapy and survival of patients were analyzed. Results The patients with Krukenburg tumor constituted 10.7% of all ovarian malignancy patients encountered during this period. The patient`s age ranged from 23 to 55 years[mean+/-S.D. ; 39.9+/-8.0] and about half of patients were younger than 40. Abdominal pain was the most frequently presenting symptom, palpable mass or abdominal distension being the second. Tumors tended to be large with maximal diameter of 10.4 cm[mean] and showed 59.4% of bilaterality. In 30 cases, the stomach was the primary site and that could not be identified in the other 2 cases. Fifteen[46.9%] were known to have [primary] tumors before they presented with ovarian metastasis. Microscopically, all tumors were of classic type characterized by the presence of the signet-ring cells and a diffuse stromal reaction. Most patients were treated by surgical debulking including total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoophorectomy with or without omentectomy. Nineteen[59.4%] patients received chemotherapy with regimens such as PF[cisplatin 5-FU], EF[etoposide 5-FU], PEF[cisplatin epirubicin 5-FU] or EAP[etoposide adriamycin cisplatin]. The estimated two-year survival rate was 27.8%. Conclusion Krukenberg tumor is known to be a variant of metastatic ovarian carcinoma. However, the proportion of this tumor to all ovarian malignancies was over 10% in our institute and the prognosis remains extremely poor despite of surgery and chemotherapy.
