Brain metastasis from ovarian clear cell carcinoma: A case report

RATIONALE: Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is the most common type of ovarian carcinoma, and the leading cause of female genital tract cancer-related deaths. However, brain metastasis (BM) of EOC is rare, with an incidence of only 1% to 2%. Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC), accounting for 5% to 25% of all EOC cases, has a poor prognosis compared with other epithelial cell type carcinomas. PATIENT CONCERNS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of a 62-year-old female, who was hospitalized with the main complaint of BM detection for 1 month. She was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2004, and underwent a left oophorectomy. Three years later, the cancer metastasized to the other side, and she underwent a right oophorectomy, followed by 7 courses of platinum-based chemotherapy. She received regular follow-up, and tumor markers and pelvic imaging did not show any signs of progression until July 2012. DIAGNOSIS: Combining the clinical manifestations with the results of radiological and pathological examinations, the findings were consistent with a diagnosis of BM from OCCC. INTERVENTIONS: She received more than 20 courses of chemotherapy since July 2012. The BM was detected in 2016, and she underwent an intracranial lesion resection. OUTCOMES: Unfortunately, the patient went into a coma after the surgery, and passed away 1 month later. LESSONS: For early detection of BM in long-term ovarian cancer, emphasis should be placed on the patient's neurological symptoms and signs as well as serum tumor marker changes. The combination of surgery, radiology, and chemotherapy may achieve long overall survival.