Pulmonary and pleural metastasis mimicking COVID-19 infection in stage IV ovarian cancer: a case report

Background: The differential diagnosis of lung and pleural metastases and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be challenging. Case: We report a case of a 41-year-old woman with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IV ovarian cancer with pleural and pulmonary spread. After primary cytoreduction was performed, she developed a high fever and worsening dyspnea with desaturation (92% in ambient air). Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was suspected, but three swabs gave negative results. Computed tomographic scan showed radiologic imaging strongly suspect for COVID-19 and the patient was transferred to a COVID-19 ward. The final diagnosis was paraneoplastic fever. Conclusion: Lung and pleural metastases can mimic SARS-CoV-2 infection.