A Rare Case of Signet-Ring Cell Stromal Tumor (SRST) of the Ovary

Abstract

Signet Ring-Cell Stromal Tumor (SRST) of the ovary is a rare nonfunctioning distinctive stromal neoplasm and is characterized by a proliferation of stromal and signet-ring cells. To date, only 11 cases have been reported in English literature. The tumor is characterized by a proliferation of stromal spindle cells in the form of a typical fibroma, admixed with various amounts of stromal cells with a single large vacuole and eccentric nuclei, resembling signet ring cells. Consequently, this benign tumor may be misdiagnosed as metastatic signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma (Krukenberg tumor). Reported here is a case of SRST of the left ovary in a 65-year-old woman who presented with abdominal distension and pain abdomen. Computerized tomography scan showed bilateral adnexal masses with minimal ascites and CA-125 was marginally raised. A panhysterectomy with infracolic omentectomy was done and biopsy showed fibrothecoma in right ovary and SRST with fibrothecoma in the left ovary. Immunohistochemistry studies of the signet ring cells were negative for cytokeratin unlike that in a metastatic signet ring cell adenocarcinoma which is characteristically cytokeratin positive. The aim of presenting this case is to consider this rare benign tumor in the panel of differential diagnoses of signet ring cell neoplasms of the ovary for which a routine histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry would help in diagnosis.

Keywords: Signet ring-cell stromal tumor, ovary, immunohistochemistry, Krukenberg tumor

Cite this Article

Roopesh N, Vijaykumar DK, Nair Indu R, et al. A rare case of signet-ring cell stromal tumor (SRST) of the ovary. Research and Reviews: Journal of Oncology and Hematology (RRJoOH). 2015; 4(2): 4–7p.