Pediatric ovarian malignancies and outcomes in an urban tertiary care center
Abstract
Objectives
To describe the clinical characteristics, interventions, and outcomes of pediatric patients with ovarian cancer and borderline masses presenting to a large tertiary pediatric hospital.
Methods
A retrospective chart review of female patients who underwent surgery for an ovarian mass was performed. Patient characteristics, sociodemographics, presenting symptoms, and preoperative clinical assessment, surgical details, final pathology, and oncologic outcomes were reviewed and collected for further data analysis.
Results
Thirty‐one of 409 patients (7.6%) had a malignant or borderline mass. Germ cell tumors were the most common histology ( n = 16, 51.6%) with immature teratoma ( n = 8, 25.8%) being the most common subtype. Most patients were early stage at diagnosis (Stage I or II). The preoperative workup of patients was variable as 86 (21%) patients did not have any tumor markers drawn before surgery. Most patients were initially managed with unilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy and 13 (41.9%) underwent additional staging procedures. Thirteen patients (41.9%) received chemotherapy, four patients (12.9%) had a recurrence, and seven (22.6%) died.
Conclusion
Given the overall positive prognosis and recommended surveillance time for pediatric ovarian malignancies, most patients will age out of pediatrics during the surveillance period, making it essential that practicing gynecologists are familiar with these patients and the recommendations for their care.