CASE 32
A 55-year-old woman presented with complaints of pelvic fullness and vague gastrointestinal symptoms. Palpation detected a significant mass in the abdominopelvic region. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a mass in the left ovary. Lab results showed an elevated level of CA-125. Radiologic studies revealed metastases to the upper abdomen and the colon. A total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed and the involved colon was resected. Pathologic examination of the removed ovaries led to a diagnosis of serous cystadenocarcinoma (Fig. 4-14). The patient was then placed on chemotherapy.
FIGURE 4-14 Micrograph of papillary serous cystadenocar cinoma of the ovary. Note the cancer’s invasion of the stroma.
(Kumar V, Abbas A and Fausto N: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 7e. WB Saunders, 2004. Fig. 22-42.)
WHAT IS THE ARTERIAL SUPPLY TO THE OVARY?
The ovary is supplied solely by the ovarian artery. The ovarian artery springs from the aorta at the level of the second lumbar vertebra and descends retroperitoneally. It then enters the suspensory ligament, and arterial branches are distributed to the ovary within the mesovarium. The ovarian artery also supplies the uterine tube and anastomoses with the uterine artery (Fig. 4-15).
