Ovarian conservation in placental site trophoblastic tumor

While isolated reports on the management and natural biology of placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) continue to accumulate, little attention has been given to ovarian conservation in the surgical management of this disease. Review of the literature reveals ovarian involvement by this tumor to be infrequent and, when present, grossly apparent at laparotomy. In the reported cases, grossly normal ovaries did not contain pathologic evidence of tumor. This study reports two additional cases in which at least one ovary was preserved. Until more reliable criteria are available for predicting which cases of PSTT will pursue a malignant course, the option of ovarian conservation should be available to young patients requiring abdominal surgery, if the disease remains confined to the uterus.