Ovarian mass in a patient with invasive breast carcinoma: A case report of an unexpected diagnosis

• Published in: International journal of surgery case reports Vol. 117; p. 109457
• Main Authors: Thayer, Maissa Ben, Sahraoui, Ghada, Abouda, Hassine Saber, Farhati, Mahdi, Doghri, Raoudha, Mrad, Karima
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Breast carcinoma; Case Report; Ovarian steroid cell tumor; Ovarian tumor; Sex cord tumor; Ovarian steroid cell tumor; Breast carcinoma; Sex cord tumor; Ovarian tumor
• ISSN: 2210-2612; 2210-2612
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109457

Ovarian steroid cell tumors not otherwise specified (OSCT-NOS) are extremely rare ovarian sex cord stromal tumors, accounting for <0.1 % of all ovarian tumors. In 25 % of cases, they are asymptomatic leading to a delay in diagnosis. We, herein, report a singular case of OSCT-NOS diagnosed incidentally during the spread assessment of an invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (IBC-NOS). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of co-occurrence of OSCT-NOS and IBC-NOS. We aim to study the clinic-pathological characteristics of this rare tumor.
A 56-years old postmenopausal female, with no previous medical history, was diagnosed with an invasive IBC-NOS. The tomography performed during the spread assessment of IBC-NOS showed a suspicious mass of the right ovary. Pelvic MRI revealed an ovarian solid T1 isointense and T2 hyperintense mass. The first evoked diagnosis was an ovarian metastasis of the IBC-NOS. The patient underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. On gross examination, an ovarian solid mass measuring 2,5x2cm, with a firm gray yellowish cut surface was noted. Microscopic examination and immunostaining concluded to OSCT-NOS and ruled out the diagnosis of an ovarian metastasis of IBC-NOS.
OSCT-NOS are rare neoplasms. Their diagnosis might be challenging especially in absence of hormonal symptoms. A better knowledge of this rare entities would enable early diagnosis.
•Ovarian steroid cell tumors not otherwise specified (OSCT-NOS) are extremely rare ovarian sex cord stromal tumors.•In 75% of cases, OSCT-NOS have a secretory activity.•Their diagnosis might be challenging especially in absence of hormonal symptoms.•We reported the first case of co-occurrence of invasive breast carcinoma NOS (IBC-NOS) and OSCT-NOS. The diagnosis of steroid tumor was unexpected, given that the patient had no hormonal signs and the radiological data suggested ovarian metastasis of her IBC-NOS in the first instance.•Given the rarity of these tumors, the therapeutic strategies are not yet well established.