Pregnancy complicated by a Krukenberg tumor with an undetermined origin and its management

Abstract

Krukenberg tumor in pregnancy is very rare and management of this condition is a dilemma for physicians. Moreover, the existence of a primary Krukenberg tumor is still in debate. Herein, we present a 29-year-old woman at 29 weeks of pregnancy, admitted with premature labor and revealed to have a signet ring cell ovarian tumor with an undetermined primary origin. A primary Krukenberg tumor or a Krukenberg tumor with an undetermined origin has not been previously reported in a pregnant patient. By virtue of the controversy, we are not eager to use the term 'primary Krukenberg tumor' for this case, although the possibility of the existence of this kind of tumor cannot be totally ignored.

Disseminated Cancer in Pregnancy: Krukenberg Tumour

“…This is a significant finding as only 31 cases of gastric cancers have been reported in pregnant women outside Japan in the last 3 decades, with an additional 103 cases found within the country [5]. More recently, within the past five years only ten cases of Krukenberg tumours during pregnancy have been reported [6–15]. The rarity of this condition is reflected in the paucity of information in the literature regarding guidance for appropriate treatment and management.…”

Krukenberg Progression of Gastric Carcinoma in Pregnancy: Is Early Diagnosis Possible? Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…A few case reports describe Krukenberg tumors in patients where no primary tumor could be found. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether primary Krukenberg tumors exist [ 4 , 6 ].…”