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Updated: Sep 14, 2025
Quantitation of Intra-peritoneal Ovarian Cancer Metastasis
Published on: July 18, 2016
Pediatric ovarian malignancies and outcomes in an urban tertiary care center
Sara Brenner1, Taylore King1, Zoe Roecker1
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Insights
Pediatric ovarian masses, including malignant and borderline types, were analyzed. Most were early-stage germ cell tumors, with many treated by surgery alone, but some experienced recurrence or mortality.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Ovarian Pathology
Background:
- Ovarian masses are uncommon in pediatric patients.
- Malignant and borderline ovarian tumors require specialized management.
- Understanding clinical characteristics is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize pediatric ovarian cancer and borderline masses.
- To detail interventions and outcomes in this patient cohort.
- To inform management strategies for pediatric gynecologic malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of female patients undergoing ovarian mass surgery.
- Analysis of patient demographics, symptoms, preoperative assessment, surgical details, pathology, and outcomes.
- Inclusion of 409 patients, with a focus on the 31 (7.6%) diagnosed with malignant or borderline masses.
Main Results:
- Germ cell tumors, particularly immature teratoma, were the most frequent histology (51.6%).
- Most patients presented with early-stage disease (Stage I or II).
- Outcomes included recurrence in 12.9% and mortality in 22.6%.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric ovarian malignancies have a generally positive prognosis.
- Gynecologists must be familiar with these rare tumors and surveillance protocols.
- Transition of care from pediatric to adult services is a key consideration.
Objectives:
To describe the clinical characteristics, interventions, and outcomes of pediatric patients with ovarian cancer and borderline masses presenting to a large tertiary pediatric hospital.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review of female patients who underwent surgery for an ovarian mass was performed. Patient characteristics, sociodemographics, presenting symptoms, and preoperative clinical assessment, surgical details, final pathology, and oncologic outcomes were reviewed and collected for further data analysis.
Results:
Thirty-one of 409 patients (7.6%) had a malignant or borderline mass. Germ cell tumors were the most common histology (n = 16, 51.6%) with immature teratoma (n = 8, 25.8%) being the most common subtype. Most patients were early stage at diagnosis (Stage I or II). The preoperative workup of patients was variable as 86 (21%) patients did not have any tumor markers drawn before surgery. Most patients were initially managed with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and 13 (41.9%) underwent additional staging procedures. Thirteen patients (41.9%) received chemotherapy, four patients (12.9%) had a recurrence, and seven (22.6%) died.
Conclusion:
Given the overall positive prognosis and recommended surveillance time for pediatric ovarian malignancies, most patients will age out of pediatrics during the surveillance period, making it essential that practicing gynecologists are familiar with these patients and the recommendations for their care.
