Complications of dermoid tumors of the ovary.

There were 253 dermoid tumors of the ovary studied. Torsion of the pedicle with hemorrhagic infarction proved to be the most frequent complication; malignant change was the most lethal. Nine patients with malignant dermoid tumors, most of them with locally advanced disease, were treated with conservative surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. The longest known survivor lived 3 years; most patients died within a year. It was concluded that a more aggressive surgical approach might salvage some patients with locally advanced malignant disease.