Carcinoids of the ovary: an analysis of 329 reported cases

This evaluation was undertaken to supply precise and reliable detailed information to investigators actively working in carcinoid and related gynecological research fields. A statistical evaluation was performed on 329 cases of ovarian carcinoid registered in the Niigata Registry where world-wide information of gut-pancreatic endocrinomas has been maintained by a computer-analyzing system. Cases without individual identification or those recorded in groups were excluded. The evaluation was carried out mainly by a comparison between two groups of cases with cystic teratoma/dermoid (Group A) and those without such lesions (Group B). The former group consisted of 189 cases (57.4%) and the latter of 140 (42.6%). Statistically significant differences between these two groups were recognized in tumor size (44.7 mm vs 89.8 mm), rate of metastases (5.8% vs 22.1%), rate of hepatic involvement (2.1% vs 15.0%), incidence of associated carcinoid syndrome (13.8% vs 22.9%) and 5-year survival rate (93.7% vs 84.0%). Insular type and trabecular type carcinoids were recorded at an almost equal rate of one fourth ranging between 22% and 26% in either group. Another significant difference in the incidence of carcinoid syndrome was evident between the series of insular type and trabecular type carcinoids (38.9% vs 7.8%). The present evaluation on ovarian carcinoids disclosed definite, statistically significant differences in various clinical and pathophysiologic aspects between Group A and Group B, as well as between insular type and trabecular type histologic structures.