Related Experiment Videos
Ovarian prostatic tissue originating from hilar mesonephric rests
C E Smith1, P J Toplis, F F Nogales
1Department of Histopathology, Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust, Surrey, UK.
The American Journal of Surgical Pathology
|February 16, 1999
Summary
Prostate tissue was found in a woman's ovary for the first time, showing unusual metaplasia. This rare finding in ovarian tissue may stem from mesonephric remnants, challenging current embryologic understanding.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Pathology
- Developmental Biology
- Urologic Pathology
Background:
- Ovarian lesions can present with diverse histological features.
- Mesonephric remnants are known to undergo metaplastic changes.
- Understanding rare ovarian pathologies is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
Observation:
- A postmenopausal woman presented with an enlarged left ovary.
- Histologic examination revealed cystic dilatation with mesonephric remnants and epithelial metaplasia.
- Prostatic acinar and smooth muscle differentiation was identified within the cyst wall.
Findings:
- First reported case of nonteratoid prostatic differentiation within an ovary.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed prostatic tissue with prostate specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase.
- The lesion demonstrated metaplastic changes and potential epithelial transitions with mesonephric remnants.
Implications:
- Challenges current embryologic theories regarding ovarian development and differentiation.
- Suggests a metaplastic induction of prostatic tissue by mesonephric remnants.
- Highlights the importance of considering rare differential diagnoses in gynecologic pathology.