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Clinical History: A 42-year-old
woman developed vague lower abdominal discomfort and thought that she felt a
mass within her abdomen. Her aunt had died 5 years ago of ovarian cancer and
her sister had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.
On physical examination, a large mass was palpated
within the left adnexa and an area of irregularity was appreciated in the right
adnexa. Ultrasound examination confirmed the presence of bilateral, complex,
multi-loculated masses, arising within the right and left adnexa. The patient
underwent an exploratory laparotomy.
Questions:
1.
Figure
3a: This is a photograph of the gross appearance of the tumor in the left
ovary. Of what significance is the presence of papillary excrescences within the
tumor and on the surface of the ovary?
2.
Figure
3b: This is a photomicrograph of a representative section of the tumor. What
is your diagnosis?
3. How often are these tumor bilateral? What
factors will determine the prognosis for this patient?
4. What is the significance of her family history?
5. Are there options available to women who have
these mutations to reduce their risk for ovarian cancer? |