WBR0169
| Author | [[PageAuthor::Yazan Daaboul, M.D., Serge Korjian M.D. (Reviewed by Serge Korjian and Alison Leibowitz [1])]] |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | ExamType::USMLE Step 1 |
| Main Category | MainCategory::Pathology |
| Sub Category | SubCategory::Oncology |
| Prompt | [[Prompt::A 38-year-old woman presents to the physician's office with complaints of abdominal distention for the past 5 weeks. The patient also reports lower extremity swelling that has worsened significantly in the past 2 months. On physical examination, the patient appears weak, pale, and cachectic with marked edema and bluish discoloration of the mons pubis, lower abdomen, and back. Following appropriate work-up, the patient is found to have large bilateral ovarian tumors with moderate ascites. Cytologic analysis of the ascitic fluid reveals several signet ring cells. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?]] |
| Answer A | AnswerA::Gastroscopy |
| Answer A Explanation | [[AnswerAExp::Most Krukenberg tumors originate in the stomach, thus work-up to rule out GI involvement is indicated once the diagnosis is made.]] |
| Answer B | AnswerB::Observation with annual check-up |
| Answer B Explanation | [[AnswerBExp::Evaluation of the primary site of malignancy is indicated in Krukenberg tumors, which often originate in the stomach.]] |
| Answer C | AnswerC::Brain MRI |
| Answer C Explanation | [[AnswerCExp::Without clinical suspicion of brain involvement, a brain MRI is not necessary upon diagnosis of a Krukenberg tumor.]] |
| Answer D | AnswerD::Lumbar puncture |
| Answer D Explanation | [[AnswerDExp::Lumbar punctures usually are not necessary, because Krukenberg tumors often originate in the stomach.]] |
| Answer E | AnswerE::Bronchoscopy |
| Answer E Explanation | [[AnswerEExp::A bronchoscopy is not necessary upon diagnosis of a Krukenberg tumor, which often originates in the stomach.]] |
| Right Answer | RightAnswer::A |
| Explanation | [[Explanation::A Krukenberg tumor refers to a tumor in the ovary that has metastasized from a primary site, classically the gastrointestinal tract, although it can develop in any other tissue. Krukenberg tumors are characterized by epithelial and stromal masses, whose epithelial component contains mucin-laden signet ring cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and eosinophilic granular cytoplasm. They usually appears as bilateral tumors with signs of lymphatic obstruction. Krukenberg tumors are often diagnosed in patients in their fifth decade. The most common primary site of malignancy is the stomach, warranting radiographic and endoscopic evaluation of the upper gastrointestinal tract once the diagnosis is made. Educational Objective: The stomach is the most common primary site of Krukenberg tumors. Work-up to rule out GI involvement is indicated upon diagnosis. |
| Approved | Approved::Yes |
| Keyword | WBRKeyword::Krukenberg, WBRKeyword::Tumor, WBRKeyword::Ovarian, WBRKeyword::Mass, WBRKeyword::Malignant, WBRKeyword::Malignancy, WBRKeyword::Cancer, WBRKeyword::Stomach, WBRKeyword::Gastroscopy, WBRKeyword::Endoscopy, WBRKeyword::Management, WBRKeyword::Ascites |
| Linked Question | Linked:: |
| Order in Linked Questions | LinkedOrder:: |