Endometriosis mimicking advanced ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of endometriosis associated with massive ascites, pleural effusion, and extremely elevated Ca-125.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
A 46-year-old, white nulligravida with bilateral adnexal masses, Ca-125 of 3,504 U/mL, abdominal pain, ascites, and a pleural effusion.


METHODS
Chemotherapy followed by exploratory laparotomy for suspected ovarian cancer.


METHODS
Surgical findings and histopathology.


RESULTS
Intraoperative examination and histology ruled out malignancy but found stage IV endometriosis.


CONCLUSIONS
In rare instances advanced endometriosis may be associated with ascites, pleural effusions, and large pelvic masses. For this reason endometriosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of reproductive-age women presenting with apparent ovarian malignancy.
Goumenou
Anastasia
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
Matalliotakis
Ioannis
I
Mahutte
Neal
N
Koumantakis
Eugenios
E
D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D010173:Palpation; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*