The etiology of adnexal masses in women with a history of non-gynaecological malignancy: recurrence, second, primary or none?

Objective: The occurrence of adnexal masses in patients with a history of non-gynaecological malignancy (NGM) raises concerns for malignancy, either primary or metastasis. Subsequent treatment and prognosis depends on the etiology. Our aim was to investigate the characteristics and results of the patients with suspicious adnexal masses, who had a history of NGM.

Material and methods: The records of 61 patients with a history of NGM were analyzed, who were operated for an adnexal mass. Complex adnexal masses were included in the analysis while simple cysts were excluded.

Results: The most common NGM origins were gastrointestinal (gastric and colorectal) tract and breast. Of all adnexal masses, four were benign (6.5%), 22 were primary ovarian malignancy (36.1%) and 35 were metastasis (57.4%). Two of the 22 primary cases were borderline ovarian tumor. Among the characteristics of primary and metastatic groups, laterality in pathology results and serum CA125 levels were statistically different (p<0.05). Among the patients with history of gastrointestinal cancers, the percentage of ovarian metastasis was 81%. Primary ovarian malignancy was most frequently (64%) observed among the patients with history of breast cancers.

Conclusion: For patients with a history of gastrointestinal cancer, recurrence of the cancer in the form of ovarian metastasis was more likely, rather than a second primary cancer. The risk of primary ovarian cancer (POC) was remarkable in those with history of a breast cancer. A multidisciplinary strategy, including a gynaecological oncologist, plays an important role in managing these cases, regardless of whether or not it is a POC.