This is High Time to Look into Peripubertal Ovarian Tumors

Abstract

Summary of Introduction: The study titled “This is high time to look into peripubertal ovarian tumors” was conducted on the hypothesis that although it is uncommon to find ovarian tumors in peripubertal age but if present there are high chances of them being malignant. Our objective was to know histopathological diagnosis of ovarian tumors in peripubertal age and to know frequency, histopathologic subtypes and prognosis of malignancies in these girls.
Study Design: Prospective and observational.
Material and Methods: The study period was two years with effect from 01-07-07 to 30-06-09 with a follow up period of six months and was conducted in Lady Willingdon Hospital Lahore. All the patients between 10 – 21 years of age with a diagnosis of non inflammatory ovarian tumors were included and those with non ovarian pelvic masses were excluded. Sample size remained 40. A proforma was devised to collect data. Results were compiled and analyzed.
Results: 20% of the patients had malignancy, 87.5% was of germ cell origin and 12.5% was epithelial. All the malignancies were found in 12 – 16 year old patients. Abdominal pain was the commonest complaint. 80% patients had simple cysts, dermoids and endometriotic cysts. All were managed by open laparotomy. Outcome was not good in patients with immature teratoma.
Discussion: Key results, mean age, symptoms, outcome, future fertility and the future trends were discussed.
Conclusion: Ovarian malignancy at the peripubertal age is not a rare happening. A high index of suspicion for malignancy is required. There is a need to adhere to western standards of management and to enhance liaison between gynaecologists and the oncologists if we wish to achieve comparable outcomes in these unlucky patients.
Keywords: Peripubertal, adolescent, malignancy, adnexal mass, Ovarian germ cell tumours, cystadenoma, dermoid, tera-toma, dysgerminoma, conservative, radical, chemotherapy, fertility.