Clinical characteristics of struma ovarii

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of struma ovarii. Methods: Twenty-five cases of struma ovarii were reviewed retrospectively from June 1994 to April 2007. The presenting clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features of the patients were reviewed. Results: The mean age of the patients in this study was 45.3 years. The majority was of premenopausal status. Sixteen patients had clinical symptoms such as low abdominal pain, palpable abdominal mass and vaginal bleeding. Although one patient had an abnormal thyroid function test, the laboratory findings normalized after operative treatment. CA-125 levels were elevated in 6 cases. Diagnosis by preoperative imaging studies were 8 dermoid cysts, while only 3 cases were diagnosed as struma ovarii. There were 4 cases of malignant struma ovarii, and no patients with recurrent disease. Conclusion: Struma ovarii is a rare tumor. The presented clinical, laboratory and radiological findings of patients are very diverse. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathologic findings. The treatment of benign struma ovarii is surgical resection only. The cases of malignant struma ovarii may need adjuvant treatment, but recurrence is uncommon.

Follicular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Arising in a Mature Cystic Teratoma of the Ovary

“…In literature, most of the data about this condition is collected from individual case reports, case series [1,2,4]. As presented in this case, the majority of cases are incidentally diagnosed [5,[6][7][8][9]. Malignant struma ovarii often occurs in the fi fth decade of life [3].…”

“…Imaging studies generally diagnose an ovarian mass. After the operation, the pathology reveales the diagnosis and it is usually incidental [5,6].…”

The diagnosis and management of struma ovarii

“…Struma ovarii are a rare type of monodermal teratoma containing more than 50% thyroid tissue, and account for approximately 2-3% of teratomas. 1 Struma ovarii typically occur between the ages of 30 and 50years. 1 As with germ cell tumours, women usually present with abdominal distension due to the mass and ascites, abdominal pain due to torsion, and occasionally with symptoms due to hormonal production.…”

“…1 Struma ovarii typically occur between the ages of 30 and 50years. 1 As with germ cell tumours, women usually present with abdominal distension due to the mass and ascites, abdominal pain due to torsion, and occasionally with symptoms due to hormonal production. 2 Ascites occur in about 10% of women, and in some cases this can be combined with a pleural effusion (modified Meigs syndrome).…”

“…The (Ca)-125 may be raised in some patients, especially those with ascites, but is not reliable in women of reproductive age. 1 If the patient has functioning thyroid tissue in the tumour and a normal thyroid gland, then thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, triiodothyronine and thyroglobulin levels can be used to assist in diagnosis. Thyroglobulin can be used for follow-up as a marker of response to treatment, especially in cases of malignancy and metastases.…”