# A Case of Hypercalcemic-Type Stage IVB Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary in a Young Woman

## TL;DR

A young woman with severe obesity was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer and hypercalcemia, but chose comfort care and passed away shortly after.

## Contribution

This case highlights the aggressive nature of hypercalcemic-type small-cell ovarian carcinoma in a young patient.

## Key findings

- The patient presented with severe hypercalcemia and extensive metastatic disease.
- A biopsy confirmed metastatic ovarian small cell carcinoma.
- The patient opted for comfort care due to poor prognosis and died within a week.

## Abstract

A 38-year-old nulliparous woman with severe obesity (BMI 66) and hypertension presented with constipation, fatigue, weakness, and poor appetite that had progressively worsened over the prior two to three weeks. Upon admission, the patient was found to have significant hypercalcemia, leukocytosis, and lactic acidosis. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed an adnexal mass with extensive lesions throughout her pelvis, abdomen, and chest. An ultrasound-guided omental core biopsy was performed, which was confirmatory for metastatic ovarian small cell carcinoma. Given her poor prognosis and clinical status, chemotherapy was likely to provide minimal benefit and ultimately the patient decided to pursue a comfort-oriented plan of care and passed away on day 9 of admission.