[Intrasplenic metastasis of malignant ovarian tumor: clinical analysis of 12 cases].

Intrasplenic metastasis of ovarian malignancies are uncommon. From 1986 to 1992 only 12 such cases were diagnosed, being 1.2% of the total number of patients with ovarian malignancies treated in tumor hospital during the same period. Of the 12 metastasis, 6 were poorly differentiated. Diagnosis was made through imaging techniques or surgery. The median interval from the diagnosis of the primary disease to intrasplenic involvement was 28 months. The metastatic lesions, presented themselves as single or multiple nodes within the cortex of the spleen. Clinical features were not remarkable. It was thought that the occurrence of intrasplenic involvement might be due to greater tumor bulk, poor differentiation and decreased host immuno-competence caused by chemotherapy. Most of the intrasplenic metastasis was found after liver metastasis or simultaneously with the latter. The main route of the tumor spread might be via blood vessels. Sole intrasplenic metastasis can be treated by surgery with a temporarily good result. Poor prognosis and high mortality characterize intrasplenic metastasis. The median survival was only 7 months.