Ovarian tumors in childhood and adolescence. Histological types and malignancy with reference to the age and menstrual activity of patients
Szamborski, J.J.
Neoplasma 25(4): 493-499
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2685 PMID: 211452 Document Number: 130619
The series of 75 patients under 20 yr of age bearing ovarian tumors was analyzed and compared with the same data of adult patients with ovarian tumors. As compared with adults, the teen-age group is characterized by higher incidence rate of germ cell tumors, lower incidence rate of epithelial ovarian tumors higher incidence of immature forms of germ cell tumors, and a higher incidence of mucinous cystadenoma in the epithelial tumor group. In the series of 75 young patients, most females with no onset of 1st menses recorded or shorter than 2 yr-long history of menstruation had germ cell tumors. All epithelial neoplasms but 1 mucinous cystadenoma were revealed in patients with at least a 2 yr-long history of menstruation. The development of epithelial tumors, especially serous cystadenomas, is probably related to changes of the ovarian surface epithelium during the process of ovulation. This is also probably why cystadenomas are more frequently found in adults than in teen-agers. The hormonal status which leads to the delay of onset of 1st menses or amenorrhea could be considered as a factor affecting the development of malignancy in ovarian tumors in teen-agers.