Massive edema of the ovary - A report of two cases due to lymphatic permeation by metastatic carcinoma from the uterine cervix

Background. Massive ovarian edema (MOE) due to permeation of the ovarian lymphatics by metastatic carcinoma is rare, with a few cases reported to date. Cases. We present two cases of MOE in patients with advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Bilateral and unilateral MOEs in the first and second case, respectively, due to lymphatic permeation of the ovaries by metastatic squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were found. Details of clinical history, operative procedure, pathological findings, therapy, and outcome are summarized. Conclusion. MOE is the unusual manifestation of the metastatic disease of the ovaries from the carcinomas of the uterine cervix in these cases. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.