Salpingo-Ovarian Tumor Spread

Ovarian cancer commonly spreads by shedding malignant cells into the abdominal cavity. Adjacent tissues and organs such as the peritoneal wall and pelvic side gutters, liver, stomach, intestines, omentum (the fibro-fatty tissue overlying the abdominal organs), and diaphragm are likely areas of tumor deposition, referred to as extraovarian tumor implants, which can spontaneously regress. In primary serous borderline and primary seromucinous borderline ovarian tumors, these implants are classified as either:

• Noninvasive Implants:
  • Classified as “epithelial” and “desmoplastic”
  • Associated with better prognosis than invasive implants

-or-

• Implants with Invasive Carcinoma:
  • Infiltrates underlying normal tissue
  • Seen in Low-grade serous carcinoma or Seromucinous carcinoma
  • Associated with worse outcome

When the diaphragm is affected, normal drainage of fluid from the abdominal cavity may be impaired, resulting in ascites, the accumulation of fluid that distends the abdomen. Ovarian cancer can also spread through the blood or lymph glands to other parts of the body, such as the lungs and brain.

Mucinous ovarian carcinomas can also result in pseudomyxoma peritonei (8480/6) in which the peritoneum becomes filled with gelatinous material causing abdominal distension and bowel compression, requiring surgical debulking.

It is more common for cancer to spread to a fallopian tube from elsewhere in the body (usually the ovary or endometrium) than for a new cancer to develop in the fallopian tube.

Updated: June 8, 2018