HISTOPATHOLOGIC REVIEW OF OVARIAN TERATOMAS IN PORT HARCOURT.
Abstract
Author(s): Dr Athanasius Boma Precious Dr Chukwudum Onwumelu.
Background: Ovarian teratomas are the commonest germ cell tumours of the ovary and they are seen in the young but can occasionally be seen in the elderly with an increased risk of malignant transforma tion. Method: This is an 8 years review of ovarian teratomas in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Braithwaite Memorial Specialist hospital both tertiary health facilities in port Harcourt. Results: Benign Cystic Teratomas were 120 accounting for 93.8% of all germ cell tumours. There were 2 cases of immature teratomas accounting for 1.6%, and cystic teratomas with malignant transformation 2 accounting for 1.6%. Teratomas with malignant transformation were all observed in postmenopausal women in the 51-60 years’ age group while immature teratomas were encountered in the 21-30 years’ age group. Conclusion: Mature cystic teratomas are the commonest ovarian germ cell tumours with an increased risk of malignant change in older women. Key words: Teratomas, Elderly, Malignancy.
