Meigs Syndrome

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Introduction

Background

Meigs syndrome is defined as the triad of benign ovarian tumor with ascites and pleural effusion that resolves after resection of the tumor. The ovarian tumor in Meigs syndrome is a fibroma.

In 1934, Salmon described the association of pleural effusion with benign pelvic tumors. In 1937, Meigs and Cass described 7 cases of ovarian fibromas associated with ascites and pleural effusion.1 In 1954, Meigs proposed limiting true Meigs syndrome to benign and solid ovarian tumors accompanied by ascites and pleural effusion, with the condition that removal of the tumor cures the patient without recurrence. Histologically, the benign ovarian tumor may be a fibroma, thecoma, cystadenoma, or granulosa cell tumor.

Pseudo-Meigs syndrome consists of pleural effusion (an example of which can be seen in the image below), ascites, and benign tumors of the ovary other than fibromas. These benign tumors include those of the fallopian tube or uterus and mature teratomas, struma ovarii, and ovarian leiomyomas.2 This terminology sometimes also includes ovarian or metastatic gastrointestinal malignancies.

Chest radiograph showing left-sided pleural effusion.

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Chest radiograph showing left-sided pleural effusion.

Atypical Meigs characterized by a benign pelvic mass with right-sided pleural effusion but without ascites has been reported at least twice. As in Meigs syndrome, pleural effusion resolves after removal of the pelvic mass.

Pseudo-pseudo Meigs syndrome includes patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and enlarged ovaries.3 Pathophysiology

Etiology of ascitic fluid

The pathophysiology of ascites in Meigs syndrome is speculative. Meigs suggested that irritation of the peritoneal surfaces by a hard, solid ovarian tumor could stimulate the production of peritoneal fluid. Samanth and Black studied ovarian tumors accompanied by ascites and found that only tumors larger than 10 cm in diameter with a myxoid component to the stroma are associated with ascites.4 These authors believe that their observations favor secretion of fluid from the tumor as the source of the ascites.

Other proposed mechanisms are direct pressure on surrounding lymphatics or vessels, hormonal stimulation, and tumor torsion. Development of ascites may be due to release of mediators (eg, activated complements, histamines, fibrin degradation products) from the tumor, leading to increased capillary permeability.

Origin of pleural effusion

The etiology of pleural effusion is unclear. Efskind and Terada et al theorize that ascitic fluid is transferred via transdiaphragmatic lymphatic channels. The size of the pleural effusion is largely independent of the amount of ascites.

Efskind's study: Efskind injected ink into the lower abdomen of a woman with Meigs syndrome and found that the ink particles accumulated in the lymphatics of the pleural surface within half an hour. Blockage of these lymphatics prevented accumulation of pleural fluid and caused an increase in ascitic fluid.

Terada and colleagues' study: In 1992, Terada and colleagues injected labeled albumin into the peritoneum and found that the maximum concentration was detected in the right pleura within 3 hours.

Nature of the ascitic and pleural fluid

Ascitic fluid and pleural fluid in Meigs syndrome can be either transudative or exudative. Meigs performed electrophoresis on several cases and determined that pleural and ascitic fluids were similar in nature. Tumor size, rather than the specific histologic type, is thought to be the important factor in the formation of ascites and accompanying pleural effusion.

Frequency

United States

Ovarian tumors are more prevalent in upper socioeconomic groups. Ovarian fibroma is found in 2-5% of surgically removed ovarian tumors, and Meigs syndrome is observed in about 1%. Ascites is present in 10-15% of those with ovarian fibroma and hydrothorax in 1%, especially with larger lesions.

International

Prevalence is unknown.

Mortality/Morbidity

Although Meigs syndrome mimics a malignant condition, it is a benign disease and has a very good prognosis if properly managed. Life expectancy after surgical removal of the tumor mirrors that of the general population.

Age

The incidence of ovarian tumor begins to increase in the third decade and increases progressively to peak in the seventh decade. Meigs syndrome in prepubertal girls with benign teratomas and cystadenomas has been reported.

Clinical

History

Patients with Meigs syndrome may have a family history of ovarian cancer. The chief complaints are vague and generally manifest over time.

Fatigue

Shortness of breath

Increased abdominal girth

Weight loss

Nonproductive cough

Bloating

Amenorrhea for premenopausal women

Menstrual irregularity

Physical

Positive signs include the following:

Vital signs

Tachypnea

Tachycardia

Lungs

Dullness to percussion

Decreased tactile fremitus

Decreased vocal resonance

Decreased breath sounds are noted, suggesting pleural effusion. Pleural effusion is mostly observed on the right side, but it can also be left sided.

Abdomen

Examination may reveal a small or large pelvic mass, or no mass may be felt.

Ascites is present, with shifting dullness and/or fluid thrill.

Pelvis: Examination reveals a pelvic mass.

Causes

When an ovarian mass is associated with Meigs syndrome and an elevated CA-125 serum level, a malignant process may be suspected. A negative cytologic examination result of ascitic effusion, the absence of peritoneal implantation, and benign histology should limit surgical procedures. This decision should be made by an experienced gynecologic surgeon or a gynecologic oncologist.

Case reports exist of pseudo-Meigs syndrome associated with malignant struma ovarii and elevated CA-125 levels.5,6 The choice of not performing adjuvant therapy is feasible after optimal surgery and adequate staging procedure given to the usually clinical benign course and the low incidence of metastases in malignant struma ovarii. Careful patient counseling is required.

Struma ovarii is a rare cause of ascites, hydrothorax, elevated CA-125 levels, and hyperthyroidism.6 This rare condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with ascites and pleural effusions but with negative cytologic test results.

The combination of ascites, pleural effusion, CA-125 level elevation, and no tumor in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus is either a Tjalma syndrome or due to the migrated Filshie clips a pseudo-Meigs syndrome.7 Differential Diagnoses

AscitesMalignant Effusion

CirrhosisMilroy Disease

Colon Cancer, AdenocarcinomaNephrotic Syndrome

HypoalbuminemiaOvarian Cancer

Lung Cancer, Non-Small CellPleural Effusion

Lung Cancer, Oat Cell (Small Cell)Tuberculosis

Other Problems to Be Considered

Congestive heart failure

Workup

Laboratory Studies

Lab studies for patients with Meigs syndrome include the following:

CBC count: This study provides information about hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet levels. A low hemoglobin count requires further workup, including reticulocyte count, total iron-binding capacity, and iron and ferritin levels. Anemia in patients with Meigs syndrome is most likely due to iron deficiency. Anemia can be corrected emergently by blood transfusion in patients undergoing surgery for Meigs syndrome. Anemia can be treated with iron supplementation postoperatively.

Basic metabolic profile: Studies of sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and glucose levels are included. These electrolytes are checked before the patient undergoes surgery. If necessary, corrections of these electrolytes are made.

Prothrombin time: Prothrombin time is checked before surgery. If elevated, it is a marker of coagulopathy. Elevated prothrombin time is corrected before surgery, either by administering vitamin K to the patient or by transfusing fresh frozen plasma.

Other than serum electrolytes and CBC count, the study of interest is the serum cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) test. Tumor marker serum levels of CA-125 can be elevated in Meigs syndrome, but the degree of elevation does not correlate with malignancy. In fact, a normal CA-125 level does not exclude the possibility of malignancy.8 The CA-125 level is not used as a screening test. The highest reported level of CA-125 after laparotomy is 1808 U/mL. This would be a false-positive result.

Physiologic sources of CA-125 are fetal coelomic epithelium and its derivatives, including the following:

Mllerian epithelium

Pleura

Pericardium

Peritoneum

Pathologic conditions related to an elevated CA-125 level include the following:

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Peritoneal damage or regeneration (eg, abdominal surgery)

Ovarian malignancy

Endometriosis

In 1992, Lin et al conducted a study to determine whether the ovarian fibroma was the source of serum CA-125 elevation. Using an immunohistochemical technique specific for the tumor marker, they localized CA-125 expression in the omentum and peritoneal surfaces rather than in the fibroma.9 Imaging Studies

Chest radiography confirms pleural effusion.

Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound confirms the ovarian mass and ascites.

CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis

CT scan confirms ascites and ovarian, uterine, fallopian tube, or broad ligament mass.

No signs of distant metastasis are observed.

Other Tests

Papanicolaou test findings are normal.

Procedures

Paracentesis: Ascitic fluid is mostly transudative. Findings are negative for malignant cells but can be positive for reactive mesothelial cells.

Thoracentesis: Pleural fluid is usually transudative. Findings can be exudative and negative for malignant cells.

Histologic Findings

Ovarian tumors are divided into the following histologic subgroups, and Meigs syndrome can be observed with any of the benign tumors.

Coelomic epithelial tumors: These tumors, which originate from the coelomic epithelium, constitute 80-85% of all ovarian tumors.

Serous cystadenoma and mucinous cystadenoma: 15-20% are malignant.

Endometrioid type and clear cell: 95-98% are malignant.

Brenner tumor: 2% are malignant.

Germ cell tumors: These tumors originate from the germ cell and constitute 10-15% of all ovarian tumors. All are malignant except mature teratomas and gonadoblastomas, which are always benign.

Mature teratoma

Immature teratoma

Dysgerminoma

Gonadoblastoma

Endodermal sinus

Embryonal carcinoma

Nongestational choriocarcinoma

Gonadal-stromal cell tumors constitute 3-5% of all tumors.

Granulosa cell

Fibroma: Fewer than 5% are malignant.

Thecoma: Fewer than 5% are malignant.

Sertoli-Leydig cell: Fewer than 5% are malignant.

Lipid cell type:30% are malignant.

Gynandroblastoma: 100% are malignant.

Treatment

Medical Care

Medical care of patients with Meigs syndrome is intended to provide symptomatic relief of ascites and pleural effusion by means of therapeutic paracentesis and thoracentesis.

Surgical Care

Exploratory laparotomy with surgical staging is the treatment of choice.

Perform a frozen section of the ovarian mass during exploratory laparotomy. If the frozen section is consistent with benign tumor, conservative surgery (salpingo-oophorectomy or oophorectomy) is appropriate.

Findings of lymph node biopsies and omentum and pelvic washings are negative for malignancy if these procedures are performed during surgery.

In women of reproductive age, perform unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

In postmenopausal women, options include bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with total hysterectomy and unilateral or occasionally bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

In prepubertal girls, options include wedge resection of ovary and unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

The cure rate after either type of surgery is high and recurrence is rare.

Consultations

Consult with a gynecologic surgeon for surgical management of the patient.

Activity

Patients can maintain activities as tolerated.

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

Observe standard postsurgical management protocols.

Further Outpatient Care

As described by Meigs, ascites and pleural effusion resolve dramatically within a few weeks to months after removal of the pelvic mass without any recurrence.

The serum CA-125 level also returns to normal after surgery.

Prognosis

Life expectancy of patients with Meigs syndrome mirrors that of the general population after surgery.

Patient Education

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Cancer and Tumors Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Ovarian Cancer.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

Meigs syndrome is benignbut can be confused with malignant disease because of the presence of ascites and pleural effusion with pelvic mass. An elevated serum CA-125 level does not always indicate malignancy.