Gabrielle M Bonneville1, René P Michel2, Srinivasan Krishnamurthy3, Fady W Mansour3. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. Electronic address: gabrielle.bonneville@albertahealthservices.ca. 2. Department of Pathology, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mature teratomas, better known as dermoid cysts, are the most common ovarian neoplasms in women in the second and third decade of life. They are invariably benign, and most women are asymptomatic. Ovarian cystectomy is the preferred therapeutic option. CASE: A 24-year-old woman was planned for elective laparoscopic cystectomy for a suspected teratoma; operative findings led to a unilateral oophorectomy. Pathological analysis of the specimen revealed a focus of large cell lymphoma of unknown lineage arising in a mature cystic teratoma. A total body positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed no other disease, and the patient was managed conservatively with regular follow-up. CONCLUSION: Lymphoma in a teratoma is an excessively rare finding with only five previously reported cases. A review of the literature revealed very different theories as to its pathogenesis and management.
BACKGROUND:Mature teratomas, better known as dermoid cysts, are the most common ovarian neoplasms in women in the second and third decade of life. They are invariably benign, and most women are asymptomatic. Ovarian cystectomy is the preferred therapeutic option. CASE: A 24-year-old woman was planned for elective laparoscopic cystectomy for a suspected teratoma; operative findings led to a unilateral oophorectomy. Pathological analysis of the specimen revealed a focus of large cell lymphoma of unknown lineage arising in a mature cystic teratoma. A total body positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed no other disease, and the patient was managed conservatively with regular follow-up. CONCLUSION:Lymphoma in a teratoma is an excessively rare finding with only five previously reported cases. A review of the literature revealed very different theories as to its pathogenesis and management.