Ovarian Struma Carcinoid: A Rare Case Report

A rare subtype of primary ovarian carcinoid tumors (POCTs) called ovarian struma carcinoid displays a unique combination of thyroid and neuroendocrine components within the ovary. Less than 0.1% of malignant ovarian tumors are POCTs, with struma carcinoid being one of the rarest types. Although these tumors are sometimes incidental findings, their mass effect or hormone release may cause symptoms.

A 35-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus on metformin and linagliptin reported having intermittent lower abdomen pain. Routine sonographic imaging detected a well-defined, multiloculated cystic lesion in the left adnexa. A multicystic solid ovarian cyst was discovered after laparoscopic left salpingo-oophorectomy. The diagnosis of struma carcinoid was made on histopathology and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The patient was asymptomatic after surgery, and test results were normal.

When making a differential diagnosis of ovarian mass, ovarian struma carcinoid should be taken into account, particularly if histology shows a mixed pattern of thyroid and neuroendocrine tissue. The tumor’s non-specific appearance and rarity make the diagnosis difficult. The main course of treatment is surgical resection, with a good prognosis and low recurrence rates. This case adds to the scant literature on ovarian struma carcinoid and highlights the significance of a thorough diagnostic workup and clinical awareness.