Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma Diagnosed During Prophylactic Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy for a BRCA-1 –Positive Patient

Abstract

Background:

BRCA-mutation carriers are identified as having an increased risk of developing ovarian, breast, and/or primary peritoneal cancers. Risk-reduction surgery is currently the leading option for patients with positive BRCA-mutation status.

Case:

A patient with known BRCA-1 positive status underwent a risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with pelvic washings.

Results:

Pelvic washings came back positive for adenocarcinoma cells, enabling an effective way to diagnose the patient with primary peritoneal cancer.

Conclusions:

Until further evidence can be determined regarding the natural history of incidental primary peritoneal carcinoma, the current authors suggest considering obtaining pelvic-washing cytology during risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy with subsequent chemotherapy for any patient diagnosed with primary peritoneal cancer.