Ovarian immature teratoma: treatment and outcome in a single institutional cohort

Gynecol Oncol. 2011 Oct;123(1):50-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2011.06.037. Epub 2011 Jul 20.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment outcome and reproductive function in women diagnosed with ovarian immature teratoma.

Methods: Thirty-four women with ovarian immature teratoma stages IA to IIIA were identified and included in this study. Patients were treated at one institution; Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada between 1970 and 2005.

Results: The median age at diagnosis was 25.0 years (range: 9.8-60.2 years). Twenty seven (79%) presented with stage IA disease, 5 (15%) with stage IC, 1 (3%) with stage 2B, and 1 (3%) with stage IIIA disease. Thirteen (38%) of the tumors were found to be grade 1, 12 (35%) grade 2, and 9 (27%) grade 3. Initial management was surgical for all patients: 22 (65%) unilateral oophorectomy, 7 (20%) cystectomy only, and 5 (15%) bilateral oophorectomy (4 with hysterectomy). Fourteen (41.8%) patients received adjuvant therapy. The median follow up was 4.8 years (range 0.2-24.3 years). Four patients recurred (histological grade 2 or 3) within 22 months (87.1% 2-year progression free survival). Only one clinical stage I patient who received adjuvant chemotherapy developed a recurrence. Three of the patients who recurred died from their disease. Eleven patients reported an attempt to conceive resulting in 11 pregnancies in 6 women (3 post chemotherapy).

Conclusion: The majority of patients diagnosed with an immature teratoma are cured of their disease. However, grade 2 or 3 tumors are associated with a greater chance of recurrence that can be fatal, predominantly within 2 years of diagnosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Fertility
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / surgery
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Teratoma / drug therapy
  • Teratoma / pathology
  • Teratoma / surgery
  • Teratoma / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult