A ten year study of ovarian tumors

A study of 213 ovarian tumors was undertaken with respect to the published assumption that there may be a relationship between presence of crystals of silicate in the ovarian tissue and neoplastic transformation. The histological review gave the opportunity to classify these tumors according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization. The frequency of histological types, age distribution and the site of involvement were determined. These data were compared to those in the literature. Our findings confirm the high incidence of serous tumors and bilaterality reported by others as well as the high risk of ovarian cancer in women in their fifties. A comparative study of the age distribution of cytadenomas was made. It suggests that cystadenomas might be considered as a precursor to the cystadenocarcinomas because of their appearance at younger age. A deliberate search for silicate crystals in periovarian adhesions and in tumor tissue showed a minimal incidence of crystalline material. This does not support a direct relationship between silicate crystals and ovarian tumors. However, it is suggested that neoplastic changes may occur in the ovarian surface as a result of adhesions engendered by deposition of silicate crystals.