Carcinoma of the Broad Ligament

Abstract

A case of papillary carcinoma of the left broad ligament in a 70-year-old woman is presented, complete with clinical and pathological findings. This patient''s presenting complaint was related to pleural effusion and the pelvic tumor was discovered during attempts to explain this finding. Four similar malignant tumors and 6 benign adenomas of the broad ligament have been reported previously. Apparent transition from the mesothelial lining of the broad ligament to the malignant epithelium of the tumor indicates that this tumor may represent a malignant mesothelioma, although an origin from mesonephric or paramesonephric remants has been considered. Further speculation seems unwarranted and unnecessary, for the suggestion that mesothelium and mesonephros may have a common mesodermal origin is reasonable. The patient was treated by total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, followed by pelvic X-ray therapy. There has been no re-accumulation of pleural or ascitic fluid and there is no evidence of recurrent malignancy. The pleural effusion must be explained in a manner similar to Meig''s syndrome, despite the malignant nature of the tumor.