Malignant pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade in ovarian adenocarcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Malignant pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade is an uncommon metastatic manifestation of gynecologic cancers. We describe a patient with ovarian cancer who developed pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade and was successfully treated with pericardiocentesis and intrapericardial instillation of thiotepa.


METHODS
A 52-year-old woman with stage IV ovarian adenocarcinoma presented with worsening cough, dyspnea, and fatigue. Chest X-ray and echocardiogram confirmed the presence of pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade. Pericardial fluid cytology revealed adenocarcinoma. Treatment consisted of pericardiocentesis with thiotepa sclerotherapy. She survived 12 months post-therapy without recurrent pericardial tamponade.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with gynecologic cancers may develop a pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade. Malignant pericardial effusion should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who present with cardiac tamponade.
Petersen
Emily E
EE
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
Shamshirsaz
Alireza A
AA
Brennan
Theresa M
TM
Demetroulis
Elaine M
EM
Goodheart
Michael J
MJ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology*