Clinical and pathological features of ovarian tumours in Rivers state of Nigeria

The pattern and clinical features of 45 ovarian tumours seen in a Southern Nigeria hospital between 1984 and 1987 were examined. The results indicate that germ cell tumours are relatively more common in this part of Nigeria than in North America and Europe. A reduced incidence of surface epithelial tumours was also observed. Most patients with either benign or malignant tumours were less than 40 years old. Two of the five tumours associated with pregnancy were malignant. The ratio of benign to malignant tumours, presenting complaints of the patients and the late stage of most malignant tumours at the time of diagnosis were consistent with what has been observed in other parts of the world.