It is relatively uncommon that colon cancer metastasizes to the ovary. We have experienced a case of early colon cancer with ovarian metastasis. A 38-year-old woman was seen at the hospital because of a lower abdominal tumor. She had a previous history of undergoing a resection of sigmoid colon cancer. At that time the tumor was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and the depth of invasion was sm. Further histological examination revealed ly3, v0 and n2. This time, 6 months after the operation, the lower abdominal tumor was found. Abdominal CT scan showed cystic tumors in the bilateral ovaries. Bilateral oophorectomy and a hysterectomy were performed. Histologically, these ovarian tumors were similar to the resected sigmoid colon cancer, and were diagnosed as ovarian metastasis of colon cancer. There have been no signs of recurrence for five years. However, as of 5 years and 4 months after the oophorectomy, she died of multiple hepatic and lung metastases.
Ovarian metastases of colorectal cancer are comparatively rare, and are usually synchronous with advanced colorectal cancer. The prognosis of these patients is very poor. This case is thought to be valuable in terms of metachronous ovarian metastases of early colon cancer and long survival for 5 years of more after oophorectomy.