Pseudo-Meigs' syndrome caused by secondary ovarian tumors from gastrointestinal cancer. A case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Pseudo-Meigs' syndrome is a condition characterized by nonmalignant ascites and/or pleural effusion caused by pelvic tumors other than solid benign ovarian tumors. This syndrome has only rarely occurred in association with gastrointestinal cancers.


METHODS
We treated a 53-year-old woman who developed this syndrome due to ovarian metastasis from colon cancer. Diagnostic work-up for abdominal distension disclosed a sigmoid colon cancer and bilateral ovarian masses. Ultrasonography demonstrated massive ascites and a right pleural effusion. Repeated cytologic examinations of both effusions revealed no malignant cells. Laparotomy disclosed no peritoneal dissemination. A radical sigmoidectomy and hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed.


RESULTS
Histologic examination confirmed ovarian metastases from the colonic primary tumor. After resection, both effusions disappeared promptly, confirming a diagnosis of pseudo-Meigs' syndrome caused by sigmoid colon cancer. The patient remains alive with disease after 52 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Among 6 reported occurrences with gastrointestinal tumors including our case, the primary site was the colon or rectum in 5 and the stomach in 1. Two cases were due to Krukenberg tumors. Three patients with documented outcomes were alive 108, 52, and 12 months after resection. Clinicians should note that gastrointestinal cancers, especially colorectal tumors, rarely may cause pseudo-Meigs' syndrome and resection may provide long-term palliation.
Nagakura
S
S
Department of Surgery, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata, Japan. shige823@med.niigata-u.ac.jp
Shirai
Y
Y
Hatakeyama
K
K
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008539:Meigs Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary*