Background Epithelial ovarian carcinoma is the most common type of ovarian carcinoma, and the
leading cause of female genital tract cancer-related deaths. However, brain metastasis
of epithelial ovarian cancer is rare (1-2 %).
Case A 66-year old patient presented herself with progressive episodes of aphasia for
3 months. She told her doctors that she understands everything and knew what to answer
but she could not pronounce her words properly (Broca’s Aphasia). In her medical history
she was diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer 22 months ago treated with neoadjuvant
chemotherapy and surgical resection. A cat scan showed no evidence of systemic recurrence
but a parietotemporal tumour on the left side matching her clinical symptoms. The
patient was transferred to neurosurgical ward and the tumour was resected completely.
The tumour was classified morphologically and immunohistochemically as a metastasis
of the known epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The tumour cells were positive for MNF
116, WT1 and estrogenic receptors. Following surgical resection she received stereotactic
radiotherapy. In absence of systemic metastasis we renounced an additional chemotherapy.
Four weeks after hospitalisation and radiotherapy she was able to pronounce her words
slowly but properly.
Conclusion This is a rare case of a singular brain metastasis without evidence of systemic recurrence.
Brain metastasis of ovarian epithelial cancer is reported in fewer than 600 cases
in literature. Survival for patients with brain metastasis is generally poor; however,
the literature on prognostics, survival, and treatment options for patients with epithelial
ovarian cancer offers limited applicability to patients with only one metastasis.
