Marked hypereosinophilia secondary to endometrioid ovarian cancer presenting with asthma symptoms, a case report

• Published in: Respiratory medicine case reports 2020, Vol.31, p.101178-101178
• Main Authors: Hasan Albitar, Hasan Ahmad, Egan, Ashley M, Alkhateeb, Hassan, Almodallal, Yahya, Iyer, Vivek N
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2213-0071; 2213-0071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101178

BACKGROUNDHypereosinophilia (HE) is defined by the presence of >1.5 × 109/L eosinophils in the peripheral blood. Paraneoplastic HE has been reported in a number of solid and hematologic malignancies including ovarian cancer. We present a case with paraneoplastic HE in the setting of underlying endometrioid ovarian carcinoma. CASE PRESENTATIONAn 88-year-old woman presented with cough, dyspnea and 20-pound unintentional weight loss of one month duration. Evaluation revealed peripheral hypereosinophilia (HE) with absolute eosinophil count of 15.38 × 109/L (53.8%) and an elevated exhaled nitric oxide at 172 parts per billion (normal < 39 PPB). Given the HE and unintentional weight loss, computed tomography (CT) scan was obtained and showed a pelvic mass. The patient underwent bilateral salpingo-ophorectomy with pathology consistent with endometrioid ovarian carcinoma. The patient experienced complete resolution of her cough, dyspnea, and peripheral eosinophilia following surgical resection. CONCLUSIONThis case highlights that solid malignancy should be considered in patients with marked HE.