Part of “CHAPTER 102 – FUNCTIONING TUMORS AND TUMOR-LIKE CONDITIONS OF THE OVARY“

Carcinomas metastatic to the ovary can induce functional stroma (Fig. 102-9), possibly by means of tumor-produced gonadotropin. Functional stroma is most frequent in metastatic adenocarcinoma, generally from the colon or stomach, although sometimes from the breast. Patients may present with virilization. Most tumors metastatic to the ovary are bilateral, whereas functional primary tumors are generally unilateral. The presence of bilateral tumors in a patient with evidence of excess steroid hormone should alert the surgeon to look for a primary gastrointestinal neoplasm.31a