Introduction
Teratoma is a common benign ovarian germ cell tumour accounting for 20% cases of all the ovarian tumours.1 To make a diagnosis of teratoma structures derived from all the three or at least two well-differentiated germ cell component is needed. Teratoma can be seen at many sites but ovarian teratoma is one of the commonest tumour presented in the gynaecology department. On the basis of the component seen on histopathological examination ovarian teratoma are subdivided into, mature cystic teratoma, immature teratoma, monodermal teratoma and fetiform teratoma. Mature cystic teratoma being commonest of these. Amongst the three germ layers’ derivatives of ectoderm and mesoderm are the commonest component. Although mature cystic teratoma is a benign condition, 2% of cases show malignant transformation and most of them are squamous cell carcinoma.2 Apart from squamous cell carcinoma adenocarcinoma, melanoma, neuroendocrine tumour etc. were also reported in the setting of mature cystic teratoma.3 This malignant transformation is accompanied by complex chromosomal aberrations.4 It carries a poor prognosis and different treatment than mature cystic teratoma and hence needs to be diagnosed early. Unfortunately, most of the early lesions are missed on radio imaging and picked up only when they start invading nearby structure and shows adhesion and solid area or papillary excrescences. Histopathological examination is the gold standard for the final diagnosis.
Here we are presenting two cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising in the mature cystic teratoma in postmenopausal women diagnosed postoperatively on histopathologic examination.
Case Presentation
Our First case was a postmenopausal woman of age 47 years presented with the complaints of pain lower abdomen for the past 1 month. On clinical examination, an adnexal mass was felt on left side. Routine and specific examinations were carried out. On CECT, a cystic mass of 12 cm diameter seen and possibility of mature cystic teratoma was given. Trans Abdominal Hystrectomy with Bilateral Salpingo ophorectomy was done. Intraoperative findings showed left ovarian cyst with intact capsule and no adhesions were present. The sample was submitted for histopathological examination. Grossly the cyst of 13.8x11x10.8 cm received with smooth outer surface. Cut section showed-unilocular cyst was filled with sebaceous material and contain hair. There were solid and papillary areas also present. Microscopic examination showed –squamous cell lining, glands, adipose tissue, respiratory epithelium in a partially preserved ovarian stromal background. There were sheets of tumour epithelial cell replacing ovarian stroma. Tumour cells show features of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The report was signed out as squamous cell carcinoma arising in mature cystic teratoma (Figure 1).
Figure 1
Squamous cell carcinoma and adipose tissue in the ovary confirming the malignancy in mature cystic teratoma
The second case was a woman of age 62 years presented with the complaints of distension of abdomen from past 4-5 weeks. A mass was felt in the left adnexa. Routine and specific examinations were carried out. On USG a solid cystic mass identified and the possibility of Dermoid / Malignant tumour was suggested. Trans Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy was done. The intraoperative findings showed left ovarian cyst with dense adhesion on posterior aspect and omentum. The specimen was submitted for histopathological examination. Grossly a solid cystic tumour of 17x16x12 cm received with the irregular outer surface. Cut section showed multinodular cyst filled with sebaceous material and hair. The solid area with papillary excrescences also seen. On microscopic examination diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma arising in the mature cystic teratoma was given (Figure 2, Figure 3).
Discussion
Mature cystic teratoma is a germ cell tumour of ovary having structures derived from all the three layers that are ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. As in 88% of cases, presenting cases were also unilateral. Both the patients in the present study were postmenopausal female which was similar to the study conducted by Hackethal et al.3 Lesa dos Sentos et al in their study found mean age of 54.8 years which correlates well with the mean age of 54.5 years in present case.5 Kikawa et al in their study observed that the mean size of the malignant teratoma was 152.3 mm. To consider the case as a malignant a criteria of (1) age more than 45 years and (2) tumour size of 99mm was given. Raised tumour markers were mandatory. In the present cases, the tumour size was 120mm and 170mm and the patient age was 47 years and 62 years respectively. This observation accredits with the study by Kikawa et al.6 Takagi et al have studied tumour markers and found CEA to be a useful marker in malignant transformations.7 Unfortunately preoperative serum markers were not done in the present case. However, Hurwitz JL et al in their study observed the lack of usefulness of tumour marker preoperatively.8 These malignant transformations carry poor prognosis than mature cystic teratoma and have different treatment which includes chemotherapy along with the surgery.
Conclusion
Although mature cystic teratoma is common but its malignant transformation is extremely rare. It carries a poor prognosis and needs chemotherapy along with surgery. Clinicians, radiologists and pathologist should be aware of risk factors as early diagnosis is the only way to increase the survival of the patient. In our case report, we are highlighting certain factors that can be considered as risk factors for the malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma. These risk factors are:
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