Imaging features of primary peritoneal serous carcinoma: A case report

Abstract

Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma (PPSC) is an epithelial tumor that arises from the peritoneum. On histopathologic analysis, it resembles a malignant ovarian surface epithelial stromal tumor. A 62-year-old woman visited the emergency room with low abdominal pain. Peritoneal carcinomatosis from ovarian cancer was initially suspected and underwent radical hysterectomy, both salpingo-oophorectomy and omentectomy. Both ovaries and uterus were intact, and ultimate diagnosis was PPSC. PPSC is a rare disease that is difficult to diagnose prior to surgery. We suspected peritoneal carcinomatosis due to the rarity of primary tumor originating from the peritoneum and overlooked PPSC, but when the primary site is not clear, we advise to consider the possibility of PPSC. Median survival time is 11-17 months with poor prognosis, and thus early diagnosis, treatment is important, and further imaging studies are warranted.