A Case of Gastrointestinal Krukenberg Tumor Initially Suspected as Primary Ovarian Cancer and the Implications for Management
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Krukenberg tumors are an uncommon metastatic malignancy most commonly originating primarily from the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the stomach, colon, and/or rectum. Due to the rarity of these malignancies, most patients are believed to have primary metastatic ovarian malignancy instead. Here, we present the case of a patient who was presumed to have ovarian metastatic cancer; however, pathology results showed that the malignancy was gastrointestinal primary in nature. In this instance, intraoperative findings and immunohistochemical profiling played a crucial role in differentiating a Krukenberg tumor with a gastrointestinal primary versus ovarian metastatic cancer. In this case, proper diagnosis resulted in a change of management, highlighting that even the most unlikely differentials should still be considered.
Source: Cureus
Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, Kern Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7169621989