Squamous cell carcinoma arising from mature cystic teratoma of ovary

Abstract

Malignancy occurring in a mature cystic teratoma is extremely a rare entity. Preoperative diagnosis of malignant transformation with in a mature cystic teratoma is extremely difficult and poses a great challenge to current clinical surgical practice. Factors such as age, tumor size, tumor markers and tumor imaging characteristics help in preoperative risk assessment. It is important to be aware of this entity when cystic teratomas are encountered in a peri or postmenopausal women for proper management of the case. We encountered a 45 years female, with vaginal bleeding. Right ovary was enlarged. The mass excised from the right ovary had cystic and solid areas. Its wall was markedly thickened. Histopathological examination of the cyst revealed an invasive squamous cell carcinoma in a preexisting mature cystic teratoma. A thorough search for primary focus of squamous cell carcinoma elsewhere was made to rule out a possibility of metastasis into the ovary.