There have been few studies concerning the clinical pathology of malignant transformation arising in ovarian mature cystic teratoma (MCT). Thus, the objective of this study is to determine clinicopathologic factors affecting survival in this rare tumor. From November 1992 to December 2002, 11 patients with malignant transformation arising in ovarian MCT were treated at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Chonnam National University Hospital. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, signs, stage, mode of therapy, and results of follow-up were reviewed retrospectively. There were 11 cases of the malignant transformation of ovarian MCT out of 637 cases of MCT (1.7%). The average age was 50.6 years. Histologically, 7 out of the 11 cases were squamous cell carcinoma (63.7%). There were no specific clinical symptoms, but palpable abdominal mass was the most frequent complaint (five cases, 45.4%). As for the stage of disease, eight cases were in stage IA (72.7%), and the other three cases were in stage IC, IIB, and IIC, respectively. All the patients had surgery, and seven of them had adjuvant chemotherapy and two had adjuvant chemoradiation. All the patients in stage I survived until the period of follow-up, and their average survival time was 31.8 months. One patient in stage IIC died of intestinal obstruction within 9 months from the surgery. The mechanism of the malignant transformation arising in ovarian MCT is not clear, but considering the fact that 80% of MCTs are diagnosed during the reproductive age, malignant transformation seems to be related to the long-term presence of nonremoved MCT in the abdomen. Accordingly, it is considered helpful for preventing and early detection of the malignant transformation to have regular ovary examination through pelvic ultrasonogram during the reproductive age.

Malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma is an uncommon complication. While any of the constituent tissues of a teratoma has the potential to undergo malignant transformation, squamous cell carcinoma is the most commonly associated cancer. We present an unusual case of a postmenopausal woman with synchronous mucinous adenocarcinoma and strumal carcinoid tumor from one of two ovarian mature cystic teratomas (one in each ovary) with synchronous cervical cancer. We suggest that malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma and synchronous cervical cancer be treated by hysterectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

These results suggest the possibility of using the HC-II and HD-C tests as screening tests, which have a similar sensitivity as the ThinPrep cytology. Nonetheless, randomized controlled trials will be needed before the actual application of the HPV tests as screening tests. Despite the fact that the importance of HPV type 16 in cancer development was confirmed, the prevalence of types 58 and 52 were relatively high compared with those found in other studies, showing a need for further studies on this subject. These HPV types need to be considered in vaccine development.

Struma ovarii is a rare form of ovarian neoplasm, composed entirely or predominantly of thyroid tissue and generally a benign germ cell tumor of the ovary. Ascites have been reported in approximately 15-20% of all cases. However, the combination of struma ovarii and elevated CA125 has rarely been reported. We experienced a rare case of a postmenopausal woman with benign struma ovarii associated with massive ascites, a complex pelvic mass. There was marked elevation of her CA125 level. The clinical impression was ovarian malignancy. Surgical excision of the ovarian mass induced immediate resolution of the ascites and a normalization of the serum CA125 level. No recurrence of the ascites or of the tumor has been observed during the 10-month follow-up. Struma ovarii can mimic ovarian malignancy clinically, particularly if complex and associated with ascites and an elevated CA125 level.

ObjectivesThe human papillomavirus (HPV) is a well-known cause of cervical cancer. HPV tests are used as an adjunct test to decrease the false-negative rate of cytological screening. However, attempts are being made to replace the cytological screening with HPV tests. Therefore, this study was performed to examine the possibility of using HPV tests as screening test.Materials and methodsThe results of the tests that were performed at the same time including the ThinPrep cytology, the high-risk group hybrid capture II (HC-II) test, the HPV DNA chip (HD-C) test, and a punch biopsy were compared in 400 women who were referred to us due to abnormal cytology or cervicogram. The accuracy of each test was then evaluated, and the type of virus was investigated using a HD-C test.ResultsThe positive predictive values detected by the high-risk group HC-II test and HD-C test according to the histological diagnosis outcomes were 56.8 and 53.8%, respectively, for cervicitis; 91.5 and 91.5%, respectively, for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I (CIN I); 88.1% and 81.0%, respectively, for CIN II; 88.6 and 84.2%, respectively, for CIN III, and 92.5 and 88.7%, respectively, for cancer (in 53 patients). The most prevalent types of HPV according to the HPV tests were types 16, 58, 18, and 52 in which type 16 was detected in the more advanced lesions. The sensitivity was 88.4% for the ThinPrep cytology, 89.9% for the HC-II for the high-risk group, and 86.2% for the HD-C test.ConclusionThese results suggest the possibility of using the HC-II and HD-C tests as screening tests, which have a similar sensitivity as the ThinPrep cytology. Nonetheless, randomized controlled trials will be needed before the actual application of the HPV tests as screening tests. Despite the fact that the importance of HPV type 16 in cancer development was confirmed, the prevalence of types 58 and 52 were relatively high compared with those found in other studies, showing a need for further studies on this subject. These HPV types need to be considered in vaccine development.