Clinical characteristics of patients in Japan with ovarian cancer presumably arising from ovarian endometrioma

Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2014;77(2):104-10. doi: 10.1159/000357819. Epub 2014 Feb 5.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of patients in Japan with malignant transformation of ovarian endometrioma.

Patients: Thirty-three patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer presumably arising from endometrioma were recruited retrospectively. These patients had been followed for at least 2 years after the ovarian endometrioma diagnosis, then continued to be followed after they had been found to have malignant transformation.

Results: The average age of the patients was 47.7 ± 9.3 years; 75.7% were premenopausal at the time of diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Among the 33 patients, ovarian cancer developed in the ipsilateral ovary of 6 patients with endometrioma after cystectomy. Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with stage I ovarian cancer, and major histotypes were clear cell in 23 cases and endometrioid in 8. Before surgery for cancer, mural nodules within the endometriomas were detected in 32 patients, and 1 patient had a small 3-mm nodule. In 30 patients, the diameter of the tumor doubled in size 6 months prior to the diagnosis of malignant transformation. The diameter of the endometrioma and the preoperative CA125 value did not significantly correlate.

Conclusions: To detect malignant transformation of ovarian endometrioma early and precisely, the clinician should determine the existence of a mural nodule and assess the rapid growth of the endometrioma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / pathology*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • CA-125 Antigen
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / pathology*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology*
  • Endometriosis / diagnosis
  • Endometriosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Endometriosis / pathology*
  • Endometriosis / therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Ovarian Cysts / etiology
  • Ovarian Cysts / pathology*
  • Ovarian Cysts / surgery
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / etiology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • CA-125 Antigen
  • MUC16 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins