Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to highlight the histopathological synopsis of ovarian lesions with emphasis on functional ovarian cysts and to compare our study with findings of other centers. Materials and Methods: Hematoxylin and eosin stained- slides of ovarian biopsies diagnosed at the Index Medical College and Research Centre, Indore, M.P. India over the period of three years. Results: A total of 117 ovarian cases were reviewed. Of this, 87 (74.35%) were nonneoplastic and 30 (25.64%) were neoplastic tumors. Out of the 117 nonneoplastic (follicular cysts) lesions, simple cyst lesions was the most commonly encountered, constituting 49 (41.88%). The peaks age incidence for nonneoplastic and benign neoplastic lesions occurred in the 4th decade. Two peaks age incidence was noted for malignant tumors 3rd to 5th decades. Epithelial cell tumor constituted the most common neoplastic ovarian tumor (n = 20; 17.09%) diagnosed. Conclusion: Functional ovarian cysts were the most commonly encountered ovarian lesions in our locality. The most common variety of functional cyst was Follicular cyst and simple serous cyst with majority occurring in the reproductive age groups. Among the ovarian tumors, Epithelial cell tumors were the most commonly seen.

Description

Ovary is an important organ and is concerned with progeny production. The ovary consists of totipotent sex cells and multipotent mesenchymal cells. So when it becomes neoplastic, almost any types of tumour can thus result1 . Both ovarian neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions posses a great challenge to gynecological oncologist. Some non-neoplastic lesions of the ovary usually present as a pelvic mass and mimic an ovarian neoplasm. Therefore their proper recognition and classification is important to allow appropriate therapy2 . Ovarian cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer death (age standardized mortality rate: 4/100,000) among women worldwide3,4 . In India it comprises up to 8.7% of cancers in different parts of the country3,4 . Histopathological presentation of ovarian tumours is variable which lead to its detection in advanced stage where neither effective surgery nor chemotherapy can be done. Incidence of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer peaks at 50-60 yr of age. In postmenopausal women about 30% of ovarian neoplasms are malignant, whereas in the premenopausal patient only about 7% of ovarian epithelial tumours are frankly malignant5 . Prognostically ovarian tumours in women under 40 yr of age have greater a chance of recovery than older patient6 . Most patients with ovarian cysts are asymptomatic, with the cysts being discovered incidentally during ultrasound or routine pelvic examination. Some cysts, however, may be associated with a range of symptoms, sometimes severe, although malignant ovarian cysts commonly do not cause symptoms until they reach an advanced stage.Pain or discomfort may occur in the lower abdomen. Cyst rupture can lead to peritoneal signs, abdominal distension, and bleeding that is usually self-limited7,8. All primary ovarian tumours tend to originate from one of the four structures that make up the composite ovarian organ notably the surface epithelial cells, the germ cells, the sex cords and the specialized ovarian stroma1,2. Interestingly, no other organ gives origin to a wide range of histogenetic tumours as the ovaries3,4