Malignant degeneration of benign cystic teratomas of the ovary.

Abstract

In 10 years from January 1971 to January 1981, 145 cases with cystic teratoma were treated at Kurume University Hospital, and malignant degeneration was seen in 7 of them (4.8%). Their age distribution was from 43 to 78 years, and the mean age was 59 years; the distribution shifted to the older side. The malignant degeneration was squamous cell carcinoma in all of the cases, and in 1 case carcinoma in situ leads to invasive carcinoma was observed continuously to a normal epithelium; it was interesting histogenetically. In their prognoses 3 out of 7 cases died (1 case dying from decrepitude) but the rest 4 have been surviving for 4 to 10 years.