Ovarian Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ovarian Cancer, including details on symptoms, causes, treatment, information.

Primary insular carcinoid of the ovary.

Díaz-Montes TP, Rosenthal LE, Bristow RE, Grumbine FC

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Kelly Gynecologic Oncology Service, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 600 North Wolfe Street, Phipps #281, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. tdiazmo1@jhmi.edu

BACKGROUND: Primary insular carcinoid tumor of the ovary is a rare tumor and accounts for fewer than 1% of all cases of carcinoid in the body. With the exception of a single reported case, all previously described functioning ovarian carcinoid tumors have measured at least 10 cm in diameter. Thus, there appears to be a good correlation between the size of the tumor and the presence of the carcinoid syndrome. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of a functioning primary insular carcinoid tumor of the ovary measuring just 6 cm in maximal diameter. CONCLUSION: Although primary ovarian carcinoid tumor is very rare, a high clinical index of suspicion must be maintained, especially in a patient presenting with carcinoid syndrome and a small adnexal mass.

Published 28 February 2006 in Gynecol Oncol, 101(1): 175-8.
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