Cancer metastasis is among one of the great dreads among both physicians and patients alike, and for good reason: it severely limits treatment options and drastically reduces survival. Yet holistic cancer research dictates that it must be confronted, and eventually subdued; no one in the medical research community can realistically expect that cancer is detected early all the time.
A good place to start this effort is to chart where metastasis is most likely to occur. For gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), we know that the most common sites for metastasis are the liver and the peritoneum. However, metastasis to less common sites does occur, as illustrated in a case report by Yamaguchi et al, who described a GIST patient with ovarian metastasis.
Here is the case study in brief:
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Presentation
A 53-year-old woman with a history of bloating and anorexia for 2 months visited the hospital. Her sole past medical history was bronchial asthma. Physical findings revealed bloating but no tenderness in the abdomen. The patient had a BMI of 41.7.
Investigations
- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed, revealing a huge ulcerative lesion on the posterior wall of the stomach. A small amount of bleeding could be seen.
- Biopsies of the ulcer revealed a dense infiltration of short spindle cells.
- Immunostaining revealed positive expression of c-Kit, suggesting GIST.
- An abdominal CT scan demonstrated thickening of the posterior wall of the stomach and a continuous heterogeneously enhancing mass protruding outside the stomach wall (23.4 × 21.1 cm). This tumor was noted to largely occupy the upper to lower left abdomen.
- The CT scan also revealed another large tumor in the pelvic cavity (13.8 × 13.1 cm). The visibility of the bilateral ovaries was poor due to the size of the tumor.
- Blood tests demonstrated anemia (Hb=9.0). Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels were within normal limits. Her carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) levels were significantly elevated at 818 U/mL (normal=<35 U/mL).
- She was diagnosed with a large GIST originating from the stomach with peritoneal metastasis.
Treatment
Her physicians judged the tumor to be large and difficult to remove, with a high risk of recurrence, even if resection was possible. Imatinib was administered as preoperative chemotherapy. She was started imatinib at 400 mg/day for 4 months.
Read more about GIST etiology
Four months later, an abdominal enhanced CT showed that the left upper abdominal mass and the pelvic mass had markedly regressed, to 17.7 × 11.6 cm and 6.5 × 4.6 cm respectively, indicating that the imatinib treatment was effective. Bilateral ovaries, which were previously obscured, “were clarified, and the tumor and left ovary were in contact. CA125 had also decreased significantly to 1.3 U/mL.”
Laparoscopic pelvic tumor resection and proximal gastrectomy were planned.
Surgical Findings
- Explorative laparoscopy revealed that the tumor, which was originally thought to be peritoneal metastasis in the pelvis, was discovered to be in the left ovarian tumor, with no peritoneal metastasis found in the peritoneal cavity.
- A swelling was observed on the left ovary that was white, round-shaped, and irregular. It was adhered to the rectum, with no invasion. The right ovary appeared normal.
- Laparoscopic surgery was used to resect the left ovary. No tumor tissue was left behind. Gastrectomy was then performed by open surgery.
- As the primary GIST had invaded the transverse mesocolon, her surgeons performed proximal gastrectomy with transverse colectomy. Radical resection was achieved.
Diagnosis and Follow-up
Histological findings led her physicians to diagnose ovarian metastasis of gastric GIST. The patient was discharged with imatinib as adjuvant chemotherapy. Ten months after the operation, no recurrence was detected.
An Unusual Find
Based on the case report presented, her physicians followed the standard protocol for exploring a possible metastasis, and the lack of recurrence after 10 months is a testament to their competency.
Schrage et al, in a study describing the surgical management of metastatic GISTs, wrote, “When complete resection is not feasible or potentially morbid, neoadjuvant treatment with imatinib is advised until a maximum response is achieved.” In this case study, imatinib drastically shrunk the tumors down in size.
Read more about GIST therapies
Although Schrage and colleagues concluded that there is no evidence for a surgical role in multifocal disease, they also concluded, “Surgery for responsive and stable metastases of gastrointestinal stromal tumors during tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment has been shown to be likely to improve outcomes of these patients, as long as clear margins can be reached.” The success of surgery in this case study validates this observation.
This case study serves to remind physicians that aside from correctly identifying the primary cancer involved, it is also important to identify any and all sites of metastases, no matter how rare. Doing so can guide sound clinical decision-making and provide immense clinical benefit to the patient under their care.
Yamaguchi et al, the authors of the case study, wrote, “In conclusion, we experienced a rare case of gastric GIST with ovarian metastasis. Preoperative administration of imatinib was successful and radical resection was possible. Although pelvic tumors may be difficult to differentiate preoperatively, ovarian metastasis of GISTs should be considered.”
References
Yamaguchi T, Kinoshita J, Saito H, et al. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor metastasis to the ovary: a case report. SAGE Open Med Case Rep. Published online April 29, 2021. doi:10.1177/2050313X211012511
Schrage Y, Hartgrink H, Smith M, et al. Surgical management of metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumour. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2018;44(9): 1295-1300. doi:10.1016/j.ejso.2018.06.003
