Authors Keywords: squamous cell carcinoma, mature cystic teratoma, malignant transformation, ovarian neoplasm Abstract

Malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma is a rare phenomenon occurring in approximately 0.17–2% of cases. It has frequently been noted in peri- and postmenopausal women, but it is rarely seen in younger women. There are no distinctive clinical features. However, patients present with nonspecific signs and symptoms such as abdominal pain, distension and abdominal mass. Hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and comprehensive surgical staging are the cornerstone of surgical management. In advanced disease, optimal cytoreduction is associated with increased overall survival. While there is no consensus as to the optimal adjuvant therapy, chemotherapy with an alkylating drug has been noted to have the greatest impact on survival. Advanced-stage disease has a poor prognosis, worse than that of epithelial ovarian cancers. We report on a case of a 28-year-old female who presented an abdominal swelling of 10 months, having undergone two previous laparotomies. Histopathology of the left ovary showed features suggestive of invasive squamous cell carcinoma and of the right ovary, it showed features suggestive of dermoid cyst. No tumour deposits were noted on the omentum. The left ovary ruptured during the procedure upstaging the tumour. An attempt at cytoreduction was done at our facility. However, tumour was noted to be unresectable. She received two cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel but died of the disease three months later.

Author Biographies A F Shaffi, Moi University

Department of Reproductive Health, Moi University, Kenya

K K Keitany, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital

Department of Pathology, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya

P M Itsura, Moi University

Department of Reproductive Health, Moi University, Kenya

B E Odongo, Kenyatta University

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Kenyatta University, Kenya

N E Kagendo, Moi University

Department of Reproductive Health, Moi University, Kenya

A M Mburu, Aga Khan Hospital

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Aga Khan Hospital, Kenya

Issue Section

Case Studies

License By submitting manuscripts to SAJGO, authors of original articles are assigning copyright to the South African Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (SASGO). Authors may use their own work after publication without written permission, provided they acknowledge the original source. Individuals and academic institutions may freely copy and distribute articles published in SAJGO for educational and research purposes without obtaining permission.