Anatomic Distribution of Benign Ovarian Tumors in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

IntroductionWe aim to report the histotypes and reassess the anatomic distribution of benign ovarian tumors in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. MethodsMedical and pathology reports of women with histologically confirmed benign ovarian pathology were investigated. Data were collected, retrospectively between 2000 and 2020, and analyzed from perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with benign ovarian tumors, after bilateral salpingooophorectomy (BSO) with or without total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). The ovarian masses histology and the distribution of locations were further evaluated. ResultsThe total sample consisted of 1,355 women with benign ovarian tumors; 929 (68.6%) of the perimenopausal and 426 (31.4%) of the postmenopausal age. A dermoid cyst was prominent in the right ovary (52.8%), compared to the left side (41%) (p<0.01). Conversely, in patients with endometriomas and cysts of Morgagni, the observed proportion was more prominent in the left-sided ovary (61.8% vs 27%; p<0.001 and 52.3% vs 36.4%; p<0.01, respectively). Moreover, in the perimenopausal women, we mostly detected endometrioma (18.3%), dermoid cyst (15.5%) and cyst of Morgagni (4%) compared to postmenopausal women, where serous cysts (29.8%) and ovarian fibroids (8%) were the most common tumors. ConclusionsBenign ovarian tumors are frequently seen in perimenopausal women and most histotypes present anatomical differences between the left and right ovaries. Serous cysts, followed by paraovarian, dermoid cysts and endometrioma present the commonest ovarian benign masses. Gynecologists should pay special attention to adnexal tumors in the postmenopausal period to choose the right operating setting for women at risk for ovarian cancer.

Co-existence of Ovarian Teratomas With Other Gynecological Tumors

“…Clinically, patients with ovarian teratomas can be asymptomatic or manifest pelvic pain or discomfort upon examination, which may present as a complication due to torsion, rupture, or a complicated peritoneal infection. These overlapping symptoms can also be a manifestation of other concomitant gynecologic conditions that can be detected by sonographic imaging, CT scan, or MRI; however, the diagnosis is confirmed by histology [1,2,4,5,6,7].…”