Diagnostic Dilemma: A woman previously treated for ovarian cancer shows fluid collections in her abdomen and chest: is this recurrent ovarian cancer or are these changes due to another cancer? (OV01-04)

Patient History:

A 53 year old woman was found to have a mass in the right ovary which was surgically removed and proven to be ovarian cancer. She also had fluid collections in her peritoneal and pleural spaces. She was treated for early stage ovarian cancer limited to the ovary.

Original Diagnosis:

The right ovarian cancer showed mixed microscopic features of endometrioid and sex cord growth patterns. Cytology examination of both the peritoneal and pleural fluids were interpretated microscopically as negative for malignancy leading to treatment for early stage ovarian cancer. Tissue sections of the ovarian cancer as well as stained cytology slides were sent to RedPath for the PathFinderTG mutational analysis.

RedPath Diagnosis:

Both the peritoneal and pleural fluid show mutations corresponding precisely with the earliest mutations acquired in the ovarian cancer. Both fluids therefore are positive for metastatic ovarian cancer.

Generic sample of PathFinderTG® quantitative test results. NOTE: A diagnostic interpretation of the quantitative test results is provided by the RedPath Pathologist.
Click here for test result explanation

Clinical Impact:

The PathFinderTG results are definitive for metastatic spread of ovarian cancer to the peritoneal and pleural spaces. With this diagnosis the patient will now immediately receive the right therapy for metastatic ovarian cancer.