From the Research
Meigs syndrome is a rare condition that should be treated with surgical removal of the ovarian tumor, which typically leads to complete resolution of both the ascites and pleural effusion within days to weeks, as evidenced by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
Key Characteristics of Meigs Syndrome
- A benign ovarian tumor, typically a fibroma
- Ascites, or fluid in the abdominal cavity
- Pleural effusion, or fluid around the lungs
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Diagnosis involves imaging studies such as ultrasound or CT scan to identify the ovarian mass, followed by surgical exploration and histopathological confirmation
- Treatment involves surgical removal of the ovarian tumor, which typically leads to complete resolution of both the ascites and pleural effusion within days to weeks
- The pathophysiology is not fully understood, but it's believed that the tumor produces substances that increase capillary permeability, leading to fluid accumulation
- The pleural effusion is thought to result from transfer of ascitic fluid through diaphragmatic lymphatics or defects
Important Considerations
- Meigs syndrome can mimic malignancy but has an excellent prognosis
- Early recognition and surgical intervention are critical for accurate diagnosis and optimal management of this rare condition
- Patients should be monitored to ensure resolution of fluid collections, but recurrence is rare once the primary tumor is completely excised
- This syndrome primarily affects women in their 40s to 60s, and symptoms may include abdominal distension, respiratory difficulties, and pelvic discomfort, as reported in a case study 2
Recent Findings
- A recent case report highlighted the importance of considering Meigs' syndrome in patients with markedly elevated tumor markers, an ovarian tumor unresponsive to chemotherapy, and concomitant ascites and pleural effusion 1
- Another study reported a case of Meigs' syndrome with an elevated CA 125 from benign Brenner tumors, emphasizing the need for cytologic or histologic confirmation of malignancy before initiating chemotherapy 3