Squamous-cell carcinoma in mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: systematic review and analysis of published data

Squamous Lesions of the Ovary

“…4,5 The mature cystic teratoma is both the most common ovarian tumor and the most common benign ovarian tumor. [4][5][6] They occur in every age group but are most common during the reproductive age. 4,5 By definition, the mature cystic teratoma contains adult-type tissues from all 3 germ layers.…”

“…3 Although only 1% to 2% of mature teratomas harbor a malignant component, up to 80% of those will be of squamous derivation. 4,6,7 Metaplasia is likely the next most common cause of squamous differentiation in the ovary. The most frequently encountered nonteratomatous primary tumors showing squamous differentiation are ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the ovary and the Brenner tumor.…”

“…[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Neither primary squamous cell carcinoma nor squamous cell carcinoma associated with dermoid cysts appears to be associated with significant ascites, in contradistinction to a number of other aggressive gynecologic neoplasms. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Other symptoms may relate to the invasion of the tumor into neighboring structures (eg, the urinary system and other gynecologic organs) and to distant sites (eg, liver). [11][12][13][14][15][16] In their case series, Pins et al 9 noted that squamous cell carcinoma (arising in association with a dermoid, with endometriosis or de novo endometriosis) usually presents at 52 years; it would seem, therefore, that nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary is a disease of perimenopausal women, again in contradistinction to a number of other aggressive ovarian neoplasms.…”

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16] In their case series, Pins et al 9 noted that squamous cell carcinoma (arising in association with a dermoid, with endometriosis or de novo endometriosis) usually presents at 52 years; it would seem, therefore, that nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary is a disease of perimenopausal women, again in contradistinction to a number of other aggressive ovarian neoplasms. A review of reported cases, [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] furthermore, suggests that most cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary present at advanced stages.…”

“…The radiologic findings generally show a solid and cystic mass, usually about 10 to 15 cm in maximal dimension. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] This latter fact may be helpful in sorting out the preliminary differential diagnosis, given that many aggressive ovarian neoplasms are much larger. Areas of necrosis are often visible, and there are often adhesions to surrounding pelvic structures.…”