title: Differentiating pelvic actinomycosis from advanced ovarian cancer: a report of two cases, management reflections and literature review.
abstract: Pelvic actinomycosis comprises a rare, subacute to chronic bacterial infection characterised by suppurative and granulomatous inflammation. Diagnosis is difficult as it may simulate pelvic malignancies. Laboratory and radiological findings are non-specific. We reported on 2 cases of pelvic actinomycosis mimicking ovarian malignancy with different management approaches that lead to opposite outcomes. We reviewed the literature on pelvic actinomycosis imitating ovarian cancer with a focus on its surgical management. Despite agreement on the duration of antibiotic therapy following surgical management, consensus regarding surgical approach was rather equivocal. We concluded that pelvic actinomycosis should be strongly suspected in women with presumed ovarian cancer of atypical presentation and a history of intrauterine devices (IUD).
authors.affiliation: Gynaecologic Oncology Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laios
authors.affiliation: Gynaecologic Oncology Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Iryna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Terekh
authors.affiliation: Gynaecologic Oncology Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Hooman Soleymani
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Majd
authors.affiliation: Gynaecologic Oncology Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Pubudu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pathiraja
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Pathology, Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Sanjiv
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manek
authors.affiliation: Gynaecologic Oncology Unit, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Krishnayan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haldar