Axillary lymph node metastasis from serous ovarian cancer: a case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION

The symptoms and findings of ovarian cancer are parallel with the degree of intra-abdominal expansion of the tumor. Metastases in the early stage occur by peritoneal fluid's tracking via the circulatory system. Renal and cerebral metastases of ovarian cancer have been previously reported, but axillary lymph node metastasis is quite rare. Axillary lymph node metastasis usually occurs in the advanced stage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We present a 47-year-old female who had applied adjuvant chemotherapy following cyto-reductive surgery because of stage 3C ovarian cancer. Axillary lymph node metastasis was detected in the postoperative 32 months.

CONCLUSION

As tumors in axillary lymph nodes are found in patients with an ovarian carcinoma, the treatment is also so important too. Metastasis to the breast be differentiated accurately from primary breast cancer, because prognosis and treatment differ significantly. Accurate diagnosis of these metastases may allow more appropriate therapy, such as chemotherapy, and prevent the patient from an unnecessary major breast surgery.