A 48-year-old woman presents with bilateral ovarian masses. She reports recent weight loss and early satiety. Microscopy of the ovarian tumor shows diffuse infiltration by signet ring cells with mucin displacing the nucleus to the periphery. The primary tumor is most likely located in which organ?

• A Breast
• B Colon
• C Appendix
• D Stomach ✓

Explanation

Krukenberg tumor is a metastatic bilateral ovarian adenocarcinoma characterized by signet ring cells with intracytoplasmic mucin. The most common primary site is the stomach (diffuse gastric adenocarcinoma), followed by colon and breast. The term Krukenberg tumor specifically implies a metastatic mucin-producing tumor with a primary in the gastrointestinal tract, classically gastric. Bilateral ovarian masses in a patient with GI symptoms should raise suspicion for metastatic disease.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.