Which ovarian mass is typically bilateral and associated with metastasis from gastric carcinoma?

• A. Krukenberg tumors
• B. Endometrioma
• C. Paraovarian cyst
• D. Hydrosalpinx

Answer: (A)

Krukenberg tumors are metastatic cancer deposits to the ovaries that most often originate from a diffuse-type gastric (gastric adenocarcinoma) primary. They are classically bilateral because both ovaries are seeded by the GI cancer, and the tumor cells characteristically form mucin-producing signet-ring cells. This combination of bilateral ovarian involvement and a gastric source is what sets Krukenberg tumors apart from other ovarian masses. Endometrioma is a benign ovarian lesion from endometriosis and is not tied to gastric cancer; paraovarian cysts arise from embryologic remnants near the ovary and are typically simple cysts; hydrosalpinx is a dilated fallopian tube due to tubal disease, not an ovarian metastasis.