Ovarian leiomyoma as a potential cause of compromised fertility

Case Report: Primary Ovarian Leiomyoma: A Clinical Analysis of Case Series and Literature Review

Ovarian leiomyoma accounts only for 0.5–1% of all benign ovarian tumors, and almost no preoperative diagnosis has been achieved. Commonly, these tumors are small in size and asymptomatic. However, they can become symptomatic as their size increases; thus, it is important to recognize this entity and differentiate them from ovarian malignant tumors. Radical surgeries with total hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy are usually performed. However, ovary-preserving surgery has been suggested to young women, especially those desiring fertility in the future. In this study, we shared seven cases of primary ovarian leiomyomas and one inherent ligament leiomyoma, reviewed related articles to provide some new information about leiomyoma of the ovary, and discussed their proper surgical management.

Symptomatic Primary Ovarian Leiomyoma in a Postmenopausal Woman: A Rare Entity

Leiomyomas are benign mesenchymal neoplasms mostly seen in the uterus and are one of the most common pelvic masses seen in women, but primary ovarian leiomyomas are rare among all the benign ovarian tumors, which account only for 0.5%–1%. The definitive diagnosis of such lesions is difficult prior to surgical excision, as there are no pathognomonic symptoms or characteristic imaging findings. Here, we report a case of primary ovarian leiomyoma with brief review of literature, highlighting the differential diagnosis of ovarian spindle cell lesions. The correct diagnosis of an ovarian leiomyoma requires identification of the nature of tumor as smooth muscle. An immunohistochemistry marker analysis is recommended for definitive diagnosis.

Prior uterine myoma and risk of ovarian cancer: a population-based case-control study

Objective

Uterine myoma which results in the magnitude of ovarian cancer remains uncertain. This study aimed to assess the association between women with previous uterine myoma and the risk of ovarian cancer.

Methods

This population-based case-control study was conducted using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2006 and 2010. We identified 4,088 adult women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer with 16,348 women without ovarian cancer matched for age, urbanization level, income and initial diagnosis date. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the variables associated with ovarian cancer. In addition, the effect of surgical interventions on the risk of ovarian cancer was also evaluated.

Results

Women with previous uterine myoma were more likely than those who did not to have ovarian cancer (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.06−2.49). Patients with uterine myoma who either received (aOR=1.79; 95% CI=1.51−2.13) or did not receive hormone replacement therapy (aOR=2.51; 95% CI=2.24−2.82) experienced a significantly higher risk of ovarian cancer than those without uterine myoma, respectively. However, patients with uterine myoma who underwent either myomectomy (aOR=0.55; 95% CI=0.39−0.77) or hysterectomy (aOR=0.33; 95% CI=0.26−0.42) had a significantly lower risk of ovarian cancer.

Conclusion

The results revealed that a significantly higher risk of ovarian cancer in women with previous uterine myoma, through an indirect mechanism. Furthermore, a lower risk of ovarian cancer was observed in women who underwent surgical removal of the uterine myoma.

Laparoscopic management of a twisted ovarian leiomyoma in a woman with 10 weeks' gestation: Case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Primary leiomyoma of the ovary is a rare benign ovarian tumor that only seldom causes acute abdomen.

CASE SUMMARY

A 35-year-old gravida 1, para 0 woman presented with a history of acute lower abdominal pain, and 10 weeks of amenorrhea. The patient's physical examination revealed abdominal tenderness, defense, and rebound. On ultrasonographic examination, a solid mass measuring 9.3 × 7.8 cm was detected adjacent to the uterine fundus. The mass was preoperatively diagnosed as a twisted pedunculated subserosal uterine myoma. Upon entering the pelvic cavity, the mass in the right adnexa appeared twisted clockwise. Therefore, a laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. The tumor was pathologically diagnosed as ovarian leiomyoma. The patient delivered a healthy girl at 40 1/7 weeks of pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Despite its low incidence, torsion of ovarian leiomyoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen. Furthermore, laparoscopic exploration should be the preferred way of removing twisted ovarian leiomyoma, even during pregnancy. It seems that primary ovarian leiomyomata have a tendency to grow rapidly during early pregnancy. However, because of the low incidence of ovarian leiomyoma, the effects of estrogen and pregnancy on this condition remain unclear.

Large ovarian leiomyoma in young woman

Leiomyoma is benign mesenchymal tumor, that frequently occur in uterus but it rarely happens in ovary. Ovarian leiomyomas are seen concomitantly with uterine leiomyoma in about 78% of cases. They often discover incidentally but their most clinical manifestations are abdominal pain and palpable mass. Herein, we reported a large ovarian leiomyoma in a 22-year-old woman with abdominal pain and palpable mass at lower abdominal region. Computed tomography scan revealed large adnexal mass. Microscopic appearance was typical for leiomyoma but because its rarity in ovary the immunohistochemical staining was done. Major differential diagnostic considerations for this tumor in ovary are fibroma/thecoma, sclerosing stromal tumor, and leiomyosarcoma. The immunohistochemical staining with desmin, inhibin, and α-smooth muscle actin are helpful to rule out this differential diagnosis.