Ovarian metastasis from primary renal cell carcinoma: report of a case and review of literature

Background. Ovarian metastasis from renal cell adenocarcinoma is quite rare. They are often mistaken for primary clear cell tumours of the ovary because of histological similarity and propensity to appear years before or after the renal primary is detected. Case. A case of ovarian metastasis from renal cell adenocarcinoma is reported. Patient developed bilateral ovarian metastasis 7 years after diagnosis of renal primary. She is alive 2 years after removal of ovarian tumours, with evidence of metastases to pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes. Review of literature with analysis of 11 such reported cases in English literature is included. Conclusion. Although rare, possibility of metastasis from renal cell adenocarcinoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of clear cell ovarian tumours. Imaging studies are warranted in such cases to rule out renal tumour. It is important to differentiate between the two because of therapeutic and prognostic implications. Careful histological and histochemical analysis may help to differentiate between the two. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.