KRUKENBERG TUMOR OF THE OVARY

BY HOWARD W. STEPHENS, M.D.

OF SAN FRANCISCO CAL.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MEDICAL SCHOOL --

FREDERICK KRUKENBERG,' in I896, described a peculiar malignant tumor

of the ovary to which he gave the term fibrosarcorna mucocellulare carcinoma-
todes. As the name implies, Krukenberg considered the tumor to be pri-
marily a fibrosarcoma with elements in its structure resembling carcinoma.
He described it as a solid ovarian tumor, usually bilateral, maintaining the
form of the ovary, of myxomatous appearance, occurring in young and old
subjects, growing slowly, usually with ascites, and eventually fatal by exten-
sion or recurrence. He described the structure as presenting small groups
or a diffuse growth of large polyhydral or rounded cells with mucoid contents
compressing the nucleus into a signet-ring form. He believed the tumor to
be primary in the ovary.
Since the original description of Krukenberg, R. H. Major2 has made
perhaps the most noteworthy contribution to our knowledge of this tumor.
He collected and studied fifty-five authentic cases and concluded that, histo-
logically, the tumor is essentially a carcinoma containing elements of fibro-
sarcoma, that it is usually secondary to carcinoma elsewhere, especially to
that of the stomach or intestines.
Ewing' is inclined to believe that the pure Krukenberg tumor is always secondary,
and that primary carcinoma presenting this structure regularly yields other areas of a
different type of carcinoma.
In I929, Fallas' was able, to collect twenty-three additional cases. A repetition of
his summary regarding our knowledge of these tumors may help in a clearer understand-
ing of the two cases to be reported. His conclusions were as follows:
(i) Krukenberg tumors are essentially a form of carcinoma identified by large
mucinous cells often with eccentrically placed nuclei.
(2) They are almost, if not quite, invariably secondary to carcinoma elsewhere
and usually to that in the gastro-intestinal tract.
(3) They metastasize early and are almost invariably fatal.
(4) They grow in a way to produce a general enlargement of the ovary which
keeps its general form and is usually free of adhesions.
(5) Ascites is usually associated with the tumor.
In I930, Enzer5 reported a case in a married woman, aged thirty-six, with bilateral
ovarian tumors floating free in the abdominal cavity in a moderate quantity of clear
ascetic fluid. A hard, indurated area was palpable in the stomach. The author brought
the reported cases up to date, making a total of eighty-five.
In the same year, Tyner' reported the case of a married woman, aged forty-eight,
in whom the right ovary was involved with Krukenberg tumor and the left ovary was
normal. The greater curvature of the stomach was the seat of an extensive carcinoma,
and a gallon of clear ascitic fluid was present in the abdominal cavity.
Also, in I930, Jackson and Babcock' reported a case in a married colored woman,
aged fifty. There was bloody fluid in the abdominal cavity with a markedly contracted
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 KRUKENBERG TUMOR OF THE OVARY
stomach containing a carcinoma of the Krukenberg type. Similar tumors were present
in the left ovary and in the right mammary gland; the latter was large and discommoding
and was the reason for which the patient sought surgical relief.
I have seen two cases of this condition. For the privilege of reporting
the first case I am indebted to Dr. L. I. Breitstein and Dr. J. Schwarz, of
San Francisco.
CASE I.-Mrs. R. F., multipara, aged thirty-four, was seen on July 29, I922, com-
plaining of pain in the lower abdomen and frequency of urination. The patient had
lost forty pounds in the past three years and abdominal pain, chiefly over McBurney's
point, had been present for the past six months.
Physical Examination revealed an abdominal tumor extending about eight centimetres
above the symphysis; the mass was hard, somewhat irregular, and tender. Vaginally,
the mass encroached on the vagina, filling the superior strait. The tumor resembled a
fibroid of the uterus, and that was the pre-operative diagnosis.
Operation was performed on August 3, I922. A moderate quantity of free ascitic
fluid was present. The uterus was small and appeared normal. Tumors of both
ovaries were found, the right ovarian mass was twisted on its pedicle, and was
incarcerated in the pelvis. It was not adherent, was globular in shape, and measured
about twelve by ten centimetres. The tumor of the left ovary was warty and hard,
egg-shaped, and measured ten by eight centimetres. A bilateral o6phorectomy was per-
formed. Examination of the gall-bladder and stomach was negative. Grossly the
appendix seemed to be the seat of a malignant process and was not disturbed. Pathologic
examination was made by Dr. G. Y. Rusk, of the University of California, San Fran-
cisco. Examination of the ovarian tumors revealed an essentially solid tissue type of
growth with a honeycomb appearance on cross section. The microscopic sections showed
the characteristic picture of Krukenberg tumor.
After consultation with the pathologist and rontgenologist, it was concluded that
the appendix was the primary source of the malignancy and that it should be removed.
On August i6, I922, the appendix, measuring 9.5 centimetres by 2.2 centimetres, was
removed through a McBurney incision. It was grayish pink in color, with a firm and
rather elastic consistency, and was bent at an acute angle near the middle. No definite
lumen could be demonstrated on cross section. Microscopic examination revealed large,
faintly staining, rounded cells with eccentrically placed nuclei; many of the cells had the
signet-ring appearance. These cells were present in spaces encapsulated by loose strands
of connective tissue and muscle.
The patient died two days following the second operation. The immediate cause of
death was attributed to a rather advanced myocardial degeneration. Necropsy was not
obtained.
CASE II.-The second patient, Mrs. I. J., Norwegian by birth, aged forty-five, had
consulted Dr. Harold Brunn, of San Francisco, in September, I9I5. At that time
the patient was thirty years of age. She complained of nervousness and irregular
menses. Physical examination was negative except for a moderately enlarged thyroid
with a suspicion of exophthalmos and a secondary anawmia. The uterus was in second-
degree retroflexion. The patient was given Blaud's pills and ovarian extract, with re-
sulting improvement.
She was not seen again until March, 1930. At this time her chief complaint was
gas distress after eating, dating back to I917. X-ray examinations made in 19I7
revealed ptosis of the stomach for which the patient was treated, with resulting im-
provement. She had not been well for the past year and believed that her abdomen was
growing larger but thought she had lost no weight. Her periods were regular, from
three to four days in duration, but the flow was scanty. One sister had had a tumor
of the stomach and another had a fibroid of the uterus.
1079
HOWARD W. STEPHENS

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 KRUKENBERG TUMOR OF THE OVARY
Physical Examination.-Blood-pressure I24/80. The patient was fairly well nour-
ished and essentially normal except for her abdomen. A hard, nodular, movable tumor
occupied most of the abdomen below the umbilicus. Considerable free fluid was present
in the abdominal cavity. Vaginal examination revealed the tumor growth anterior to
the uterus and probably not attached to it. The abdomen was opened on March 14, I930.
About three and a half liters of clear free fluid were present in the peritoneal cavity.
The mass felt through the abdominal wall (Fig. i) proved to be bilateral, solid ovarian
tumors. They were not adherent and had not broken through the outer capsule of what
once had been the ovary. No metastases were present in the gall-bladder, liver, or
peritoneum except for a small nodule in the uterovesicle fold. The stomach was not
palpated as we were unaware at the time that we were dealing with a Krukenberg tumor.
The uterus contained several small fibroids. Bilateral salpingo-o6phorectomy, supra-
vaginal hysterectomy, and appendectomy were done.
Microscopic examination by Doctor Rusk of sections from both ovarian tumor
masses showed an invading new growth of abnormal epithelium growing in fine strands
and clusters. In portions of the growth the epithelial cells occurred singly; these were

FIG. 2.-Low-power photomicrograph reveal- FIG. 3.-High power of Fig. 2. Several signet-
ing the cells which typify the Krukenberg ring cells appear in the field.
tumor.
swollen, each contained a large droplet of mucus and gave the typical appearance of the
Krukenberg tumor. (Figs. 2 and 3). Cells in mitotic division were rare. The uterine
tumors were myomata. The nodule removed from the parietal peritoneum near the
uterovesicle fold was found to be the seat of a moderate invasion with adeno-carci-
nomatous elements similar in character to those found in the ovary. The appendix was
essentially negative.
During convalescence, the patient's stomach was investigated. There was no free
hydrochloric acid and X-ray examination revealed a polypoid type of lesion in the
greater curvature of the cardiac end of the stomach.
The patient did fairly well after operation but had several tarry stools; these con-
tinued after her discharge from the hospital and occasionally she vomited blood. Rather
severe gastric haemorrhages began about November I, I930, and continued until the
patient's death on November 20. Necropsy was not permitted.
SUMMARY
(i) Two cases of Krukenberg tumor of the ovary are reported. These
cases bear out the conception of the more recent writers that Krukenberg
1081
 HOWARD W. STEPHENS
tumors of the ovary are nearly always, if not invariably, secondary to carci-
noma elsewhere and usually to that in the gastro-intestinal tract.
(2) In the first case, the growth was most likely primary in the appendix,
but this cannot be determined definitely as there was no post-mortem. In
the second case, the growth was in all likelihood primary in the stomach, but
in this case also necropsy was not allowed.
(3) The total number of reported authentic cases is brought up to date,
giving a total of eighty-nine including the two cases appearing in
this communication.
(4) It is felt that if the summary of our knowledge of these tumors as
outlined by Fallas is borne in mind, more of these growths will be recognized
and diagnosed pre-operatively.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Krukenberg, Frederick E.: Ueber das Fibrosarcoma Ovarii Mucocellulare (Carci-
nomatodes). Arch. f. Gynaek, vol. 1, p. 287, I895.
2 Major, R. H.: Krukenberg Tumor. Surg., Gynec., and Obstet., vol. xxvii, p. 195, 1918.
'Ewing, James: Neoplastic Disease. Third Edition, p. 647.
'Fallas, Roy: Krukenberg Tumor of the Ovary. Surg., Gynec., and Obstet., vol. xlix,
p. 638, 1929.
6Enzer, N.: Krukenberg Tumors. ANNALS OF SURGERY, vol. xcii, pp. I49-152, July,
I930.
6 Tyner, J. D.: Krukenberg Tumor. Clifton M. Bull., vol. xvi, pp. 93-95, April, I930.
7Jackson, C., and Babcock, W. W.: Krukenberg Tumor. S. Clinics N. America, vol. x,
pp. 271-272, December, I930.

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