Borderline Ovarian Tumor in the Pediatric and Adolescent Population: A Case Series and Literature Review

Fertility-sparing surgery in children and adolescents with borderline ovarian tumors: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics of children and adolescents with borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) and evaluate the efficacy and safety of fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) in these patients.

METHODS

Patients with BOTs younger than 20 years who underwent FSS were included in this study.

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients were included, with a median patient age of 17 (range, 3-19) years; 97.1% (33/34) of cases occurred after menarche. Of the patients, 82.4% had mucinous borderline tumors (MBOTs), 14.7% had serous borderline tumors (SBOTs), and 2.9% had seromucinous borderline tumor (SMBOT). The median tumor size was 20.4 (range, 8-40)cm. All patients were at International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I and all underwent FSS: cystectomy (unilateral ovarian cystectomy, UC, 14/34, 41.2% and bilateral ovarian cystectomy, BC, 1/34, 2.9%), unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (USO; 18/34; 52.9%), or USO + contralateral ovarian cystectomy (1/34; 2.9%). The median follow-up time was 65 (range, 10-148) months. Recurrence was experienced by 10 of the 34 patients (29.4%). One patient with SBOT experienced progression to low-grade serous carcinoma after the third relapse. Two patients had a total of four pregnancies, resulting in three live births. The recurrence rate of UC was significantly higher in MBOTs than in USO (p = 0.005). The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 67.1%, and the 5-year overall survival rate was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Fertility-sparing surgery is feasible and safe for children and adolescents with BOTs. For patients with MBOTs, USO is recommended to lower the risk of recurrence.

Laparoscopic Ovarian-Sparing Surgery for the Management of Benign Ovarian Lesions in Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic ovarian-sparing surgery (OSS) is safe and effective management approach for benign ovarian lesions in pediatric patients. This study evaluates the outcomes of females younger than 18 years who underwent the OSS procedure between December 2013 and November 2022 at a single institution.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of records from 82 females who underwent OSS for ovarian lesions. OSS was performed based on diagnostic imaging that suggested the benign nature of the lesion.

RESULTS

Of the 82 patients studied, 78 had unilateral lesions and 4 had bilateral synchronous lesions. The mean age was 14 years. The majority (62 cases) of the surgeries were laparoscopic, with 20 requiring conversion to open surgery due to factors such as indistinguishable edges and large size of the lesion. We identified 8 cases of ovarian torsion. The surgical specimens revealed that 46 were ovarian teratomas, 2 were granulosa cell tumors, 15 were cystadenomas, and 23 were functional cysts. There were no intraoperative complications. Two recurrences were observed in patients who were initially treated for bilateral ovarian teratomas. One patient developed a pelvic abscess. Additionally, three patients had metachronous ovarian tumors during the follow-up period. In patients followed with ultrasound imaging, the viable ovary was visualized in 83.6% of the cases (61 out of 73).

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of laparoscopic OSS in preserving ovarian function and providing clinical benefits in patients with benign ovarian lesions. We recommend regular follow-up with ultrasound to exclude metachronous lesions or recurrence.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Moderately-differentiated Ovarian Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor With a Concurrent Serous Borderline Tumor in a 16-year-old Girl

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCT) are rare tumors of the ovary with a peak incidence in the second to third decade of life. Serous borderline tumors (SBT) are epithelial ovarian neoplasms which occur at a median age of 50 years. A co-occurrence of SLCT and SBT has not yet been reported. Here, we describe a case of a 16-year-old girl who presented with irregular menses, virilization, and an abdominopelvic mass. The mass was surgically removed and an intraoperative consultation revealed an 18.5 cm solid and cystic ovarian mass with the presence of co-existing SLCT and SBT. The diagnosis was confirmed on permanent sections after extensive sampling and immunohistochemical stains. The SLCT showed positive staining for calretinin, inhibin, CD99, and androgen receptor. MART-1 immunostain highlighted the Leydig cells. The SBT showed classic features including hierarchically branching papillae lined by stratified serous epithelium. This pediatric case is the first reported case of a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor arising in association with a serous borderline tumor.

Rapid recurrence of a ruptured mucinous borderline ovarian tumor harboring K-RAS mutation followed by progression into anaplastic carcinoma with TP53 mutation

We describe the case of a young patient with a borderline mucinous ovarian tumor that progressed into ipsilateral ovarian anaplastic carcinoma in only 3 months with metastasis to the contralateral ovary and extensive spread in the pelvic and abdominal regions. The mucinous tumor harbored micro-foci of intraepithelial carcinoma, but no mural nodules, microinvasion, or invasive adenocarcinoma were detected. Notably, a rupture on the ovarian mass and low-grade pseudomyxoma peritonei were present. Next-generation sequencing identified an identical KRAS mutation in the mucinous tumor and anaplastic carcinoma, while the latter had KRAS gene amplification and CDKN2A, MPL and TP53 mutations. These findings indicate the anaplastic carcinoma might have arisen via recurrence, malignant transformation and dedifferentiation of the former low-grade mucinous tumor. We consider that the mass rupture and pseudomyxoma peritonei were high-risk factors for recurrence, while genetic mutations were key drivers of progression. Accordingly, such cases may benefit from active surgical treatment and early chemotherapy.

The challenging management of borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) in women of childbearing age

Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) account for approximately 15% of all epithelial ovarian cancers. In 80% of cases the diagnosis of BOTs is done at stage I and more than a third of BOTs occurs in women younger than 40 years of age wishing to preserve their childbearing potential; the issue of conservative surgical management (fertility-sparing treatment) is thus becoming of paramount importance. At early stages, the modalities of conservative treatment could range from mono-lateral cystectomy to bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Although cystectomy is the preferred method to promote fertility it can lead to an elevated risk of recurrence; therefore, an appropriate counseling about the risk of relapse is mandatory before opting for this treatment. Nevertheless, relapses are often benign and can be treated by repeated conservative surgery. Besides the stage of the disease, histological subtype is another essential factor when considering the proper procedure: as most mucinous BOTs (mBOTs) are more commonly unilateral, the risk of an invasive recurrence seems to be higher, compared to serous histotype, therefore unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is recommended. In the appraisal of current literature, this review aims to gain better insight on the current recommendations to identify the right balance between an accurate staging and an optimal fertility outcome.

Progression of Cystadenoma to Mucinous Borderline Ovarian Tumor in Young Females: Case Series and Literature Review

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To study the progression of benign ovarian lesions to mucinous borderline ovarian tumors (mBOTs); analyze the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis, and management of mBOTs in pediatric and adolescent girls; and provide a review of the literature on mBOTs in this population.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review of female adolescents younger than 18 years diagnosed with mBOTs between July 2017 and February 2021.

SETTING

Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut; and Yale New Haven Health Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

PARTICIPANTS

Three female patients diagnosed with mBOTs between ages 12 and 17 years.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical presentation, preoperative characteristics, surgical technique, histology, tumor stage, treatment, progression, outcome, and rate of recurrence.

RESULTS

Three adolescent patients were identified to have mBOTs. All three patients presented with a chief complaint of abdominal pain. One of the 3 patients was premenarchal at presentation. Two of the 3 patients were initially diagnosed with a mucinous cystadenoma and had recurrences of an ovarian cyst in the same ovary within 5 and 17 months, respectively. Pathology of the recurrent cyst was consistent with mBOT. Two of the 3 patients initially underwent cystectomy, and all ultimately had a unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Subsequent surveillance over 2 to 4 years found no evidence of disease recurrence.

CONCLUSION

mBOTs are rare in the pediatric and adolescent population and could arise from benign ovarian tumors.

Fertility-Sparing Surgery for Ovarian Cancer

(1) Background: although most patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) undergo radical surgery, patients with early-stage disease, borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) or a non-epithelial tumor could be offered fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) depending on histologic subtypes and prognostic factors. (2) Methods: we conducted a systematic review to assess the safety and fertility outcomes of FSS in the treatment of ovarian cancer. We queried the MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Cochrane (“Cochrane Reviews”) databases for articles published in English or French between 1985 and 15 January 2021. (3) Results: for patients with BOT, FSS should be offered to young women with a desire to conceive, even if peritoneal implants are discovered at the time of initial surgery. Women with mucinous BOT should undergo initial unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, whereas cystectomy is an acceptable option for women with serous BOT. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) can be initiated in patients with stage I BOT if infertility persists after surgery. For patients with EOC, FSS should only be considered after staging for women with stage IA grade 1 (and probably 2, or low-grade in the current classification) serous, mucinous or endometrioid tumors. FSS could also be offered to patients with stage IC grade 1 (or low-grade) disease. For women with serous, mucinous or endometrioid high-grade stage IA or low-grade stage IC1 or IC2 EOC, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and uterine conservation could be offered to allow pregnancy by egg donation. Finally, FSS has a large role to play in patients with non- epithelial ovarian cancer, and particularly women with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors.

New aspects and innovations in the local treatment of renal and urogenital pediatric tumors

Local treatment plays a key role for patients' outcome in tumors of the urogenital tract in children. Despite a great variety of different etiologies, the specific localization of pediatric urogenital tumors renders several characteristic demands to the treating personnel. Surgery and radiotherapy are the main elements of local treatment in this group of neoplasms. Numerous new guidelines and innovative technical developments of surgery and radiotherapy have recently been integrated into treatment concepts for pediatric urogenital tumors. Due to the broadness of the field it is not possible to give a full overview over all aspects. Therefore, this article highlights the most important innovations and new guidelines of surgery and radiotherapy of pediatric urogenital tumors.

Serous borderline ovarian tumours: an extensive review on MR imaging features

Serous borderline ovarian tumours (SBOTs) are an intermediate group of neoplasms, which have features between benign and malignant ovarian tumours and for which, fertility-sparing surgery can be offered. MRI in imaging of SBOTs is, therefore, crucial in raising the possibility of the diagnosis, in order to present the patient with the most appropriate treatment options. There are characteristic MRI features that SBOTs demonstrate. In addition, recent advanced techniques, and further classification into subtypes within the borderline group have been developed. The aim of this article is to review the MRI features of SBOT and provide the reporter with an awareness of the imaging tips and tricks in the differential diagnosis of SBOT.

Recurrence characteristics and clinicopathological results of borderline ovarian tumors

Background

This study aimed to investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics, and the recurrence and prognostic factors of borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs).

Methods

The data of 286 patients admitted to hospital and followed up for more than ten months were analyzed retrospectively to study the clinicopathological characteristics and related factors of recurrence.

Results

The median age of the patients was 42.06 ± 14.97 years, and the duration of the follow-up ranged from 10–109 months. During the follow-up period, 40 patients had a recurrence. Of these patients, 36 were ≤ 40 years, and patients with premenopausal recurrence accounted for 20.5% (36/176). In patients undergoing conservative treatment or radical operations, the recurrence rates were 21.3% and 1.8%, respectively, and they were 13.4% (36/268) in patients at Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I, and 22.2% (4/18) in patients at an advanced stage. Postoperative pathology revealed that 40 patients had micropapillary tumors, among whom ten patients (25%) had a recurrence, and 19 patients had complications with interstitial infiltration. Of these 19 patients, six had a recurrence (31.5%). Another 22 patients had complications with calcified sand bodies; among these, eight patients (36.4%) had a recurrence. All the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There were four cancer-related deaths during the follow-up period. Late FIGO stage, conservative operation, and a high level of carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) were independent risk factors for the recurrence of BOTs.

Conclusion

BOTs usually occur in women under 40 years, have an occult onset, and half of the patients have no obvious clinical manifestations. Serum CA125 level can be used as a tumor marker to detect BOTs and the risk of its recurrence. Operation mode and FIGO stage are important independent factors for the recurrence of BOTs.

A serous borderline ovarian tumour in a transgender male adolescent

Here we present a transgender male adolescent with an androgen receptor-positive serous borderline ovarian tumour in the setting of testosterone treatment for medical gender transition. To our knowledge, this is the second report of borderline tumour in a transgender individual and the first in an adolescent, an age group in which borderline tumours are extremely rare. We discuss the specific considerations of treating ovarian tumours in the transgender male population, the incompletely understood role of androgens in the genesis of ovarian epithelial neoplasia, and an emphasis on assessing cancer risk in transgender patients based on patient anatomy.

Prevention of Recurrent Mucinous Borderline Ovarian Tumor with Aromatase Inhibitor

BACKGROUND

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are used for estrogen-modulated conditions. Some borderline ovarian tumors (BOT) express estrogen receptors. We present 2 cases of progression from mucinous cystadenoma to mucinous BOT (mBOT) after prior cystectomies in whom an AI was used with recurrence prevention.

CASES

Two patients underwent laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy for mucinous cystadenoma. Serial imaging demonstrated recurrent ovarian cysts for which both underwent fertility sparing surgery (FSS) with ovarian cystectomy for mBOT. Both patients were initiated on an AI and have been without recurrence.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

BOT predominantly occur in reproductive aged females. FSS with cystectomy is an option, but recurrence occurs in 12-36% of cases. The use of AI in prevention of recurrent BOT shows promise, and more studies are needed to explore this treatment.

The Case of a Serous Borderline Ovarian Tumor in a 15-Year Old Pregnant Adolescent: Sonographic Characteristics and Surgical Management

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe a rare case of a serous borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) diagnosed during pregnancy in a 15-year old adolescent.

RESULTS

The suspect of BOT was raised at a transvaginal ultrasound scan in early first trimester (at 5 weeks of amenorrhea), due to the presence of a moderately vascularized irregular papilla in the context of a unilocular low-level right ovarian cyst. The patient and her parents required termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the diagnosis of an ovarian lesion. After termination of pregnancy, the patient underwent laparoscopic enucleation of the ovarian mass, omentectomy, and peritoneal biopsies. No intra-abdominal spillage of the ovarian mass occurred, and the surgical specimens were put in an endobag and extracted transvaginally. Final pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a serous borderline ovarian tumor. The patient of free of disease after 8 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Although rare, borderline ovarian tumors can be diagnosed in an adolescent during pregnancy. The combination of specific sonographic assessment and minimally invasive conservative surgery appears as a very effective approach in this type of patient.

KEY POINTS

· BOTs can occur in pregnant adolescents.. · Transvaginal ultrasound is crucial to suspect BOT.. · Laparoscopic conservative treatment is feasible..

Imaging in pediatric ovarian tumors

The spectrum of ovarian tumors in the pediatric population differs significantly from that in adults. Germ cell tumors are the predominant class of ovarian tumors in children, whereas epithelial tumors are the most common in adults. Ultrasonography is the modality of choice for the initial evaluation of pediatric ovarian tumors. Determining the diagnosis based on imaging may prove difficult, and combining the imaging findings with the clinical scenario is very helpful in reaching a differential diagnosis during clinical practice. We will discuss the spectrum of ovarian neoplasms in the pediatric population and describe their clinical, pathologic, and imaging characteristics. A few unique entities related to ovarian tumors, such as growing teratoma syndrome, anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, and hereditary ovarian tumor syndromes, are also discussed. In addition, we will review several entities that may mimic ovarian neoplasms as well as their distinct imaging features.

[Borderline Ovarian Tumours: CNGOF Guidelines for Clinical Practice - Epidemiological Aspects and Risk Factors]

The incidence (rate/100,000) of BOT gradually increases with age from 15-19 years of age and peaks at nearly 4.5 cases/100,000 for the 55-59 year age group (NP3). In the presence of a benign ovarian mass, the standardized risk ratio of serous and mucinous BOT is 1.69, (95% CI 1.39-2.03) and 1.75, (95% CI 1.45-2.10), respectively (NP2). At diagnosis, a median age of diagnosis of OFA is 46 years, unilateral forms (79.7% of cases) are predominant compared to cancers (45.3%) (<0.001) and FIGO I stages represent nearly 63.7% of cases (NP3). The 5-year survival rates for FIGO I, II, III, IV stages are: 99.7% (95% CI: 96.2-100%), 99.6% (95% CI: 92.6-100%), 95.3% (95% CI: 91.8-97.4%), 77.1% (95% CI: 58.0-88.3%), respectively (NP3). Survivors at 5 years for serous and mucinous tumours are 99.7% (95% CI: 99.2-99.9%), 98.5% (95% CI: 96.9-99.3%), respectively (NP3). An epidemiological association exists between personal BOT risk and: (1) a familial history of BOT/certain cancers (pancreas, lung, bone, leukemia) (NP3), (2) a personal history of benign ovarian cyst (NP2), (3) a personal history of pelvic inflammatory disease (IGH), (4) the use of intrauterine device levonorgestrel (NP3), (5) the use of oral contraceptive pills (NP3), (6) multiparity (NP3), (7) hormone replacement therapy (NP3), (8) high consumption of coumestrol (NP4), (9) medical treatment of infertility with progesterone (NP3), (10) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). An epidemiological association exists between previous/actual tabacco consumption and the risk of mucinous ovarian BOT (NP2). Relative risk (RR) varies between 2.2 and 2.7, however the relationship is not necessarily a causal one. An epidemiological association exists between overweight/obesity and the risk of serous BOT (NP2). RR varies between 1.2 to 1.8. The high Vitamin D was inversely associated to the risk of serous BOT (NP4). The risk of mucinous BOT was lowered with paracetamol use (OR=0.77; 95% CI: 0.60-0.98) (NP3). However, the relationship between these factors and BOT is not necessarily a causal one and no screening modality can be proposed in the general population (gradeC).

Ovary-sparing surgery for benign pediatric ovarian masses

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review highlights progress in the management of pediatric ovarian neoplasms. Recent research has identified disparities in the management of patients with benign ovarian neoplasms based on a variety of factors. However, the long-term effects of unilateral oophorectomy have prompted an emphasis on ovary-sparing surgery (OSS) for benign masses. One of the challenges still facing providers is the preoperative differentiation between benign and malignant masses.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies highlight the variability in practice patterns surrounding the management of benign ovarian neoplasms. Progress continues to be made in identifying reliable factors that can be used to inform preoperative risk stratification of patients who present with ovarian neoplasms. These factors include imaging characteristics, symptoms and tumor markers. In addition, the safety of OSS with regard to recurrence and upstaging in appropriate settings continues to be demonstrated.

SUMMARY

This review highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in the treatment of ovarian neoplasms given the varied surgical approach by specialty. Multiple retrospective studies have identified factors that can be used for preoperative risk stratification and selection of patients for OSS. Prospective studies evaluating the accuracy of these factors for preoperative risk stratification are needed.

Physiologic Ovarian Cysts versus Other Ovarian and Adnexal Pathologic Changes in the Preadolescent and Adolescent Population: US and Surgical Follow-up

Background Ovarian and adnexal cysts are frequently encountered at US examinations performed in preadolescent and adolescent patients, yet there are few published studies regarding the outcomes of cysts in this population. Purpose To identify characteristics at US that help to distinguish physiologic ovarian cysts from nonphysiologic entities. Materials and Methods Female patients who underwent pelvic US with or without Doppler from January 2009 through December 2013 were identified by using a centralized imaging database. Patients older than 7 years and younger than 18 years with ovarian or adnexal cysts at least 2.5 cm were included. Demographic characteristics, date of surgery, surgical notes, and pathologic reports were extracted from the electronic medical record. Initial and follow-up dates of US, cyst size and complexity, imaging diagnosis, and change on subsequent US images were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed with the Wilcoxon rank sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests for continuous variables and the Fisher exact test for categorical variables. Results Of 754 patients who met inclusion criteria (age, 8-18 years; mean age, 14.6 years ± 1.9 [standard deviation]; mean cyst size, 5 cm ± 3.3), 409 patients underwent complete follow-up that included resolution at imaging (n = 250) or surgery (n = 159). In the patients with complete imaging follow-up, mean time to US documentation of resolution was 194 days ± 321; 59.6% (149 of 250) patients had nonsimple cyst characteristics. One-hundred fifty-nine patients underwent surgical intervention (mean cyst size, 8.5 cm ± 5.3), and 69.8% (111 of 159) of the cysts had simple characteristics. Of the 159 cysts, 100 (62.8%) were defined in the pathologic report as paratubal cysts. Of 409 patients, no malignancies were encountered in this study population with surgical or imaging resolution. Conclusion No malignancies were encountered in the study population and the majority of cysts resolved at follow-up imaging. Large size, persistence, and separability from the ovary were most helpful for identification of nonphysiologic paratubal cysts. © RSNA, 2019.

Surgical approach to giant ovarian masses in adolescents: technical considerations

Ovarian neoplasms arising from the surface epithelium are rare in the pediatric population; their knowledge is therefore limited and the appropriate management is poorly defined. We describe our experience and suggest our surgical approach to adolescents affected by voluminous ovarian masses. Two 15-year-old adolescents were admitted to our institution in 2017 for multilobulated, fluid-filled masses measuring over 30 cm arising from the ovaries. The cystic component was drained intraoperatively with a spillage-free technique, consisting in the application of a sterile autoadhesive transparent drape on the cyst and the insertion of a 12 Ch pleural drain, secured with a purse-string suture. Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was then carried out. Histology revealed mucinous cystadenoma in both patients. Surgical treatment of ovarian masses should aim at both radically excising the tumor and preserving the fertility of the patients. Decompression with spillage-free techniques can be useful to achieve radical therapy with limited manipulation of tissues.