Adenocarcinoid of the appendix presenting as bilateral Krukenberg's tumor of the ovaries. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies and literature review.

A patient with an adenocarcinoid of the appendix presented with bilateral Krukenberg's tumors of the ovaries. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies revealed a selective ability of the mucinous (goblet cell) component of the appendiceal neoplasm to metastasize. A review of the literature has revealed nine previously published cases of appendiceal adenocarcinoid metastatic to the ovaries. All showed involvement of both ovaries, but none provided unequivocal evidence of a metastatic proliferating carcinoid element. As the appendiceal lesion is often grossly inconspicuous, it may be overlooked in cases presenting initially with ovarian tumors. Routine appendectomy is therefore recommended in such patients where no grossly obvious primary tumor is evident.