title: A series of malignant ovarian cancers arising from within a mature cystic teratoma: a single institution experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is the most common germ cell tumor. It accounts for 10% to 20% of all ovarian masses. The likelihood of malignancy arising from within an MCT is low, and prognosis is poor.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-institution retrospective chart review was completed of all cases of MCT from 2004 to 2012. Multiple variables were examined including procedure performed, residual disease after surgery, surgical stage, histologic type, site of primary disease, date of recurrence, whether or not adjuvant chemotherapy was given, and whether or not there was death secondary to disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period, 1.2% of MCTs exhibited malignant transformation. The average age at presentation was 53.7 years. Mean follow-up time was 23 months. The most common presenting symptoms were bloating and abdominal pain. The average tumor size was 18 cm. Of note, 33% of cases were at least surgical stage IIIC at the time of presentation, whereas the remainder were stage IC or lower. Four (44.4%) of the 9 cases were identified as mucinous adenocarcinoma in addition to 1 case each of malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Only 1 patient experienced recurrence. One patient had a known MCT that was being managed expectantly and exhibited malignant transformation to a mucinous adenocarcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A large ovarian mass that is suspected to be a mature teratoma should be managed more aggressively in older patients. Our data suggest that although malignancy arising from mature teratomas is rare, it is more likely when patients are older than 40 years, the mass is greater than 18 cm, and there is any suspicion for a mucinous tumor. Like most ovarian tumors, these tumors most often present at later stages and, thus, can be difficult to treat. It is unclear what role chemotherapy or radiation plays in the management of these tumors.
authors: *Section of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; †Section of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; and ‡Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, §Pathology, and ∥Diagnostic Radiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
authors: Jonathan D
authors: JD
authors: Black
authors: Dana M
authors: DM
authors: Roque
authors: Monica C
authors: MC
authors: Pasternak
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Buza
authors: Thomas J
authors: TJ
authors: Rutherford
authors: Peter E
authors: PE
authors: Schwartz
authors: Shirley
authors: S
authors: McCarthy
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Ratner
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013724:Teratoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult