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.

Looks can be deceiving.

Matthews KS

Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35249-7333, USA. kellie.matthews@obgyn.uab.edu

BACKGROUND: A thorough history, physical examination, and comprehensive work-up is important to differentiate the etiology of a cervical mass in unusual cases. CASE: A 36-year-old white female presented with heavy vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and an exophytic cervical mass extending to the anterior vaginal wall. She underwent cold knife cone with biopsies of the vagina. Pathology revealed dysgerminoma. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated pelvic lymphadenopathy, an enlarged uterus, and a 4 cm complex ovarian mass. The final pathology helped establish the true diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The accurate diagnosis of rare tumors requires a broad differential diagnosis and careful review of the pathologic findings and clinical scenario.

Published 1 June 2007 in Obstet Gynecol, 109(6): 1449, 1462-3.
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