Primary Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma with Metastatic Ovarian Tumor in a Pregnant Woman

Abstract

Introduction: Primary small bowel carcinoma in pregnant women is extremely rare. Small bowel cancer is difficult to diagnose because of its rarity, lack of specific clinical symptoms, and particular anatomical features. We experienced a case of primary small bowel adenocarcinoma with ovarian metastasis during pregnancy. This is the first reported case of a patient with small bowel adenocarcinoma whose pregnancy continued to term and ended in delivery. Case Presentation: A 32-year-old pregnant woman developed abdominal pain, and imaging examination revealed an ovarian tumor at 29 weeks of gestation. We performed laparotomy and resected the ovarian tumor, which was initially suspected to be primary ovarian cancer. The patient continued the pregnancy to term. A detailed examination of the abdominal cavity during cesarean delivery at 37 weeks revealed that the primary lesion was located in the small bowel. Conclusion: It is important to recognize that the small bowel may be the primary site of metastatic ovarian cancer. Detailed and careful examination is necessary to diagnose small bowel cancer during pregnancy.

Keywords

• small bowel cancer
• pregnancy
• metastatic ovarian cancer
• cesarean delivery
• case report