Ovarian strumal carcinoid presenting as severe progressive constipation

Abstract

Strumal carcinoid develops in a germ cell tumor characterized by an intimate mixture of thyroid and carcinoid. Unlike other carcinoid tumors, most patients with strumal carcinoid have no symptoms of carcinoid syndrome; few are reported to cause severe constipation. We report a case of a 60-year-old female patient presenting with severe progressive constipation and painful defecation for last few years. A right ovarian tumor was discovered during clinical examination. CT scan revealed a large lobulated solid cystic right adenexal mass suggestive of monomorphic teratoma, which was successfully removed surgically. The histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of strumal carcinoid tumor. Her constipation completely disappeared post surgery. These tumors are known to produce a biologically active substance like peptide YY, which has a pharmacologic inhibitory action on intestinal motility. This was presumably the cause of the constipation in this patient rather than a mechanical effect of the tumor.