Ovarian collision tumour consisting of a fibroma and a serous cystadenoma: A case report

This article reports a case of an ovarian collision tumour consisting of an ovarian fibroma and a serous cystadenoma. A 60-year-old woman exhibited symptoms of post-menopausal bleeding and abdominal pain persisting for three months. Computerized tomography identified a solid mass with a cystic component in the right adnexa, and the patient underwent staging laparotomy. Gross examination of the right ovary revealed a cystic tumour with adjacent solid mass. The histopathological analysis identified a cystic mass that matched the characteristics of a serous cystadenoma, with an adjacent solid mass that matched the characteristics of a sex-cord stromal tumour, both located in the right ovary. Additionally, a small cyst that matched the characteristics of a serous cystadenoma was found in the left ovary. There have been only seven previously reported examples of this specific mix of ovarian tumours. Mostly affecting patients above 60 years of age, although tumour markers levels are normal, such cases may present with a complex clinical scenario, as in this case, and demand a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Ultrasound-based deep learning radiomics model for differentiating benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian tumours: a multi-class classification exploratory study

BACKGROUND

Accurate preoperative identification of ovarian tumour subtypes is imperative for patients as it enables physicians to custom-tailor precise and individualized management strategies. So, we have developed an ultrasound (US)-based multiclass prediction algorithm for differentiating between benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian tumours.

METHODS

We randomised data from 849 patients with ovarian tumours into training and testing sets in a ratio of 8:2. The regions of interest on the US images were segmented and handcrafted radiomics features were extracted and screened. We applied the one-versus-rest method in multiclass classification. We inputted the best features into machine learning (ML) models and constructed a radiomic signature (Rad_Sig). US images of the maximum trimmed ovarian tumour sections were inputted into a pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN) model. After internal enhancement and complex algorithms, each sample's predicted probability, known as the deep transfer learning signature (DTL_Sig), was generated. Clinical baseline data were analysed. Statistically significant clinical parameters and US semantic features in the training set were used to construct clinical signatures (Clinic_Sig). The prediction results of Rad_Sig, DTL_Sig, and Clinic_Sig for each sample were fused as new feature sets, to build the combined model, namely, the deep learning radiomic signature (DLR_Sig). We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) to estimate the performance of the multiclass classification model.

RESULTS

The training set included 440 benign, 44 borderline, and 196 malignant ovarian tumours. The testing set included 109 benign, 11 borderline, and 49 malignant ovarian tumours. DLR_Sig three-class prediction model had the best overall and class-specific classification performance, with micro- and macro-average AUC of 0.90 and 0.84, respectively, on the testing set. Categories of identification AUC were 0.84, 0.85, and 0.83 for benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian tumours, respectively. In the confusion matrix, the classifier models of Clinic_Sig and Rad_Sig could not recognise borderline ovarian tumours. However, the proportions of borderline and malignant ovarian tumours identified by DLR_Sig were the highest at 54.55% and 63.27%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The three-class prediction model of US-based DLR_Sig can discriminate between benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian tumours. Therefore, it may guide clinicians in determining the differential management of patients with ovarian tumours.

Development and validation of an ultrasound-based deep learning radiomics nomogram for predicting the malignant risk of ovarian tumours

BACKGROUND

The timely identification and management of ovarian cancer are critical determinants of patient prognosis. In this study, we developed and validated a deep learning radiomics nomogram (DLR_Nomogram) based on ultrasound (US) imaging to accurately predict the malignant risk of ovarian tumours and compared the diagnostic performance of the DLR_Nomogram to that of the ovarian-adnexal reporting and data system (O-RADS).

METHODS

This study encompasses two research tasks. Patients were randomly divided into training and testing sets in an 8:2 ratio for both tasks. In task 1, we assessed the malignancy risk of 849 patients with ovarian tumours. In task 2, we evaluated the malignancy risk of 391 patients with O-RADS 4 and O-RADS 5 ovarian neoplasms. Three models were developed and validated to predict the risk of malignancy in ovarian tumours. The predicted outcomes of the models for each sample were merged to form a new feature set that was utilised as an input for the logistic regression (LR) model for constructing a combined model, visualised as the DLR_Nomogram. Then, the diagnostic performance of these models was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

RESULTS

The DLR_Nomogram demonstrated superior predictive performance in predicting the malignant risk of ovarian tumours, as evidenced by area under the ROC curve (AUC) values of 0.985 and 0.928 for the training and testing sets of task 1, respectively. The AUC value of its testing set was lower than that of the O-RADS; however, the difference was not statistically significant. The DLR_Nomogram exhibited the highest AUC values of 0.955 and 0.869 in the training and testing sets of task 2, respectively. The DLR_Nomogram showed satisfactory fitting performance for both tasks in Hosmer-Lemeshow testing. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the DLR_Nomogram yielded greater net clinical benefits for predicting malignant ovarian tumours within a specific range of threshold values.

CONCLUSIONS

The US-based DLR_Nomogram has shown the capability to accurately predict the malignant risk of ovarian tumours, exhibiting a predictive efficacy comparable to that of O-RADS.

Primary ovarian leiomyoma: a rare ovarian tumour

After performing laparoscopic unilateral adnexectomy in a 53-year-old woman for a rapidly grown unilateral adnexal mass, pathologists reported a primary ovarian leiomyoma with no genuine ovarian tissue. This rare diagnosis is found in less than 100 reports after systematic literature review, a greater number of asymptomatic ovarian leiomyomas can be expected. Thorough preoperative diagnostic measures are essential as rare cases of malignancy have been described.

Development of ovarian tumour causes significant loss of muscle and adipose tissue: a novel mouse model for cancer cachexia study

BACKGROUND

Cancer-associated cachexia (CAC) is a complex syndrome of progressive muscle wasting and adipose loss with metabolic dysfunction, severely increasing the morbidity and mortality risk in cancer patients. However, there are limited studies focused on the underlying mechanisms of the progression of CAC due to the complexity of this syndrome and the lack of preclinical models that mimics its stagewise progression.

METHODS

We characterized the initiation and progression of CAC in transgenic female mice with ovarian tumours. We measured proposed CAC biomarkers (activin A, GDF15, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in sera (n = 6) of this mouse model. The changes of activin A and GDF15 (n = 6) were correlated with the decline of bodyweight over time. Morphometry and signalling markers of muscle atrophy (n ≥ 6) and adipose tissue wasting (n ≥ 7) were assessed during CAC progression.

RESULTS

Cancer-associated cachexia symptoms of the transgenic mice model used in this study mimic the progression of CAC seen in humans, including drastic body weight loss, skeletal muscle atrophy, and adipose tissue wasting. Serum levels of two cachexia biomarkers, activin A and GDF15, increased significantly during cachexia progression (76-folds and 10-folds, respectively). Overactivation of proteolytic activity was detected in skeletal muscle through up-regulating muscle-specific E3 ligases Atrogin-1 and Murf-1 (16-folds and 14-folds, respectively) with decreasing cross-sectional area of muscle fibres (P < 0.001). Muscle wasting mechanisms related with p-p38 MAPK, FOXO3, and p-AMPKα were highly activated in concurrence with an elevation in serum activin A. Dramatic fat loss was also observed in this mouse model with decreased fat mass (n ≥ 6) and white adipocytes sizes (n = 6) (P < 0.0001). The adipose tissue wasting was based on thermogenesis, supported by the up-regulation of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). Fibrosis in adipose tissue was also observed in concurrence with adipose tissue loss (n ≥ 13) (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel preclinical CAC mouse model mimics human CAC phenotypes and serum biomarkers. The mouse model in this study showed proteolysis in muscle atrophy, browning in adipose tissue wasting, elevation of serum activin A and GDF15, and atrophy of pancreas and liver. This mouse line would be the best preclinical model to aid in clarifying molecular mediators of CAC and dissecting metabolic dysfunction and tissue atrophy during the progression of CAC.

Estimating the risk of malignancy of adnexal masses: validation of the ADNEX model in the hands of nonexpert ultrasonographers in a gynaecological oncology centre in China

Background

This study aims to validate the diagnostic accuracy of the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) the Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX) model in the preoperative diagnosis of adnexal masses in the hands of nonexpert ultrasonographers in a gynaecological oncology centre in China.

Methods

This was a single oncology centre, retrospective diagnostic accuracy study of 620 patients. All patients underwent surgery, and the histopathological diagnosis was used as a reference standard. The masses were divided into five types according to the ADNEX model: benign ovarian tumours, borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs), stage I ovarian cancer (OC), stage II-IV OC and ovarian metastasis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the ability of the ADNEX model to classify tumours into different histological types with and without cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) results.

Results

Of the 620 women, 402 (64.8%) had a benign ovarian tumour and 218 (35.2%) had a malignant ovarian tumour, including 86 (13.9%) with BOT, 75 (12.1%) with stage I OC, 53 (8.5%) with stage II-IV OC and 4 (0.6%) with ovarian metastasis. The AUC of the model to differentiate benign and malignant adnexal masses was 0.97 (95% CI, 0.96–0.98). Performance was excellent for the discrimination between benign and stage II-IV OC and between benign and ovarian metastasis, with AUCs of 0.99 (95% CI, 0.99–1.00) and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98–1.00), respectively. The model was less effective at distinguishing between BOT and stage I OC and between BOT and ovarian metastasis, with AUCs of 0.54 (95% CI, 0.45–0.64) and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.56–0.77), respectively. When including CA125 in the model, the performance in discriminating between stage II–IV OC and stage I OC and between stage II–IV OC ovarian metastasis was improved (AUC increased from 0.88 to 0.94, P = 0.01, and from 0.86 to 0.97, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

The IOTA ADNEX model has excellent performance in differentiating benign and malignant adnexal masses in the hands of nonexpert ultrasonographers with limited experience in China. In classifying different subtypes of ovarian cancers, the model has difficulty differentiating BOTs from stage I OC and BOTs from ovarian metastases.

A rare ovarian hilus cell tumour accompanying bilateral serous cystadenomas: report of a case

Background

Hilus cell tumours is considered an uncommon branch of androgen producing neoplasms that accounts for < 5% of all ovarian tumours. They are mostly benign and have characteristic gross and microscopic features. Here we present the first case of a hilus cell tumour in association with bilateral serous cystadenomas.

Case presentation

A 65-year-old lady with no symptoms of virilization, presented with postmenopausal dysfunctional uterine bleeding and radiological investigations revealing bilateral ovarian cysts that required a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Gross and microscopic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of hilus cell tumour associated with bilateral serous cystadenomas.

Conclusions

This was the first case of hilus cell tumour in association with bilateral serous cystadenomas of the ovaries. Although, majority of hilus cell tumours that have been reported in the literature were benign, further studies are required to determine the behavior of the disease.

Lipid profile and risk of ovarian tumours: a meta-analysis

Background

Existing data from several reports on the association between lipid profile and ovarian tumour (OT) suggests divergent conclusions. Our aim was to examine whether circulating lipid profile: total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) differed between cases and non-cases of OT.

Methods

Electronic repositories; PUBMED, EMBASE and Cochrane library were explored through December 2019 to retrieve published articles for inclusion in the meta-analysis after quality assessment. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics, the effect of individual studies on the overall effect size was tested using sensitivity analysis and funnel plot was used to evaluate publication bias.

Results

Twelve studies, involving 1767 OT cases and 229,167 non-cases of OT were included in this meta-analysis and I² statistics ranged between 97 and 99%. Mean circulating TC (− 16.60 [− 32.43, − 0.77]mg/dL; P = 0.04) and HDL (− 0.25[− 0.43, − 0.08]mmol/L; P = 0.005) were significantly lower among OT cases compared to non-OT cases.

Conclusion

Decreased TC and HDL profiles were observed among subjects with OT in this collection of reports. The implications of TC and HDL in tumour manifestations and growth need to be validated in a large multi-ethnic longitudinal cohort adjusting for relevant confounders.

[Borderline Ovarian Tumours: CNGOF Guidelines for Clinical Practice - Therapeutic Management of Early Stages]

OBJECTIVES

To provide guidelines for clinical practice from the French College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (CNGOF), based on the best evidence available, concerning early stage borderline ovarian tumors (BOT).

METHODS

Bibliographical search in French and English languages by consultation of Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, and international databases.

RESULTS

Considering management of early stage BOT, if surgery is possible without a risk of tumor rupture, the laparoscopic approach is recommended compared to laparotomy (Grade C). In BOT, it is recommended to take all the measures to avoid tumor rupture, including the peroperative decision of laparoconversion (Grade C). In BOT, extraction of the surgical specimen using an endoscopic bag is recommended (Grade C). In case of early stage, uni or bilateral BOT, suspected in preoperative imaging in a postmenopausal patient, bilateral adnexectomy is recommended (Grade B). In cases of bilateral BOT and desire of fertility preservation, a bilateral cystectomy is recommended (Grade B). In case of mucinous BOT and desire of fertility preservation, it is recommended to perform a unilateral adnexectomy (Grade C). In case of endometrioid BOT and desire of fertility preservation, it is not possible to establish a recommendation of treatment choice between cystectomy and unilateral adnexectomy. In case of mucinous BOT at definitive histological analysis in a woman of childbearing age who had an initial cystectomy, surgical revision for unilateral adnexectomy is recommended (Grade C). In the case of serous BOT with definitive histological analysis in a woman of childbearing age who has had an initial cystectomy, it is not recommended to repeat surgery for adnexectomy in the absence of residual suspicious lesion during initial surgery and/or on postoperative imaging (referent ultrasound or pelvic MRI) (Grade C). An omentectomy is recommended for complete initial surgical staging when BOT is diagnosed on extemporaneous analysis or suspected on preoperative radiological elements (Grade B). There is no data in the literature to recommend the type of omentectomy to be performed. If restaging surgery is decided for a presumed early stage BOT, an omentectomy is recommended (Grade B). Multiple peritoneal biopsies are recommended for complete initial surgical staging when BOT is diagnosed on extemporaneous or suspected on preoperative radiological elements (Grade C). In case of restaging surgery for a presumed early stage BOT, exploration of the abdominal cavity should be complete and peritoneal biopsies should be performed on suspicious areas or systematically (Grade C). A primary peritoneal cytology is recommended in order to achieve complete initial surgical staging when BOT is suspected on preoperative radiological elements (Grade C). In case of restaging surgery for presumed early stage BOT, a first peritoneal cytology is recommended (Grade C). For early serous or mucinous BOT, it is not recommended to perform a systematic hysterectomy (Grade C). For early stage endometrioid BOT, and in the absence of a desire to maintain fertility, hysterectomy is recommended for initial surgery or if restaging surgery is indicated (Grade C). For endometrioid-type early stage BOT, if there is a desire for fertility preservation, the uterus may be retained subject to good evaluation of the endometrium by imaging and endometrial sampling (Grade C). In case of surgery (initial or restaging if indicated) for early stage BOT, it is recommended to evaluate the macroscopic appearance of the appendix (Grade B). In case of surgery (initial or restaging if indicated) for early stage BOT, appendectomy is recommended only in case of macroscopically pathological appearance of the appendix (Grade C). Pelvic and lumbar aortic lymphadenectomy is not recommended for initial surgery or restaging surgery for early stage BOT regardless of histologic type (Grade C). In case of BOT diagnosed on definitive histology, the indication of restaging surgery should be discussed in Multidisciplinary Collaborative Meeting. For presumed early stage BOT, it is recommended to use the laparoscopic approach to perform restaging surgery (Grade C). Restaging surgery is recommended for serous BOT with micropapillary appearance and unsatisfactory abdominal cavity inspection during initial surgery (Grade C). Restaging surgery is recommended in case of mucinous BOT if only a cystectomy has been performed or the appendix has not been visualized, then a unilateral adnexectomy will be performed (Grade C). If a restaging surgery is decided in the management of a presumed early stage BOT, the actions to be carried out are as follows: a peritoneal cytology (Grade C), an omentectomy (there is no data in the literature recommending the type of omentectomy to be performed) (Grade B), a complete exploration of the abdominal cavity with peritoneal biopsies on suspect areas or systematically (Grade C), visualization of the appendix± the appendectomy in case of pathological macroscopic appearance (Grade C), unilateral adnexectomy in case of mucinous TFO (Grade C).

Clinical presentation and management of primary ovarian neuroendocrine tumor in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

SUMMARY

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by parathyroid, anterior pituitary and enteropancreatic endocrine cell tumors. Neuroendocrine tumors occur in approximately in 5-15% of MEN1 patients. Very few cases of ovarian NETs have been reported in association with clinical MEN1 and without genetic testing confirmation. Thirty-three-year-old woman with MEN1 was found to have right adnexal mass on computed tomography (CT). Attempt at laparoscopic removal was unsuccessful, and mass was removed via a minilaparotomy in piecemeal fashion. Pathology showed ovarian NET arising from a teratoma. Four years later, patient presented with recurrence involving the pelvis and anterior abdominal wall. She was treated with debulking surgery and somatostatin analogs (SSAs). Targeted DNA sequencing analysis on the primary adnexal mass as well as the recurrent abdominal wall tumor confirmed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the MEN1 gene locus. This case represents to our knowledge, the first genetically confirmed case of ovarian NET arising by a MEN1 mechanism in a patient with MEN1. Extreme caution should be exercised during surgery as failure to remove an ovarian NET en masse can result in peritoneal seeding and recurrence. For patients with advanced ovarian NETs, systemic therapy options include SSAs, peptide receptor radioligand therapy (PRRT) and novel agents targeting mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

LEARNING POINTS

Ovarian NET can arise from a MEN1 mechanism, and any adnexal mass in a MEN1 patient can be considered as a possible malignant NET. Given the rarity of this disease, limited data are available on prognostication and treatment. Management strategies are extrapolated from evidence available in NETs from primaries of other origins. Care should be exercised to remove ovarian NETs en bloc as failure to do so may result in peritoneal seeding and recurrence. Treatment options for advanced disease include debulking surgery, SSAs, TKIs, mTOR inhibitors, PRRT and chemotherapy.

Utilisation of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue to differentiate ovarian from adrenal hyperandrogenism in postmenopausal women

Postmenopausal hyperandrogenism is a relatively rare diagnosis resulting from excess androgen production from the adrenals or ovaries. The exclusion of malignant causes is a priority. Laboratory tests and imaging are utilised to help differentiate the source of excess androgens. We report two cases of postmenopausal hyperandrogenism in women aged 75 and 67 years. Both cases presented with clinical features suggestive of hyperandrogenism which had developed gradually over the previous 2 years. Laboratory investigations confirmed a significant elevation in their serum testosterone levels. In both cases, imaging did not reveal any abnormality of the adrenals or ovaries. To help differentiate an adrenal vs ovarian source a single-dose GnRH analogue was given with measurement of testosterone and gonadotrophin levels pre and post. The reduction in gonadotrophins achieved by the GnRH analogue resulted in suppression of testosterone levels which suggested an ovarian source. Both patients proceeded to bilateral oophorectomy. Histology revealed a benign hilus cell tumour in one case and a benign Leydig cell tumour in the other.

Controversies in the management of ovarian tumours in prepubertal children - A BAPS and UK CCLG Surgeons Cancer Group National Survey

BACKGROUND

No clear treatment and follow-up protocols have been established for prepubertal patients with ovarian tumours. The lack of adequate prospective data in the literature includes all aspects of their management. A significant number of children with ovarian masses present out of hours as a surgical emergency and are initially managed by paediatric surgeons without special interest in surgical oncology. Clear guidance on the management of such tumours is therefore fundamental. We hypothesised that - owing to the lack of clear guidelines - the current approach to prepubertal ovarian tumours amongst paediatric surgeons is highly heterogenous.

METHODS

An eleven-item multiple choice questionnaire was distributed amongst all BAPS consultant paediatric surgeons in the UK and simultaneously to all paediatric surgical oncology members of the UK Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group in order to survey the management of ovarian masses in children. We aimed to compare the management approaches in both groups.

RESULTS

63 consultants participated in the survey; 49% with a special interest in surgical oncology, 48% with different subspecialty interests. The majority of participants (56%) performed 1-5 operations on ovarian tumours per year. Preoperative imaging of choice for the oncology surgeons was US and MRI (77.3%) versus 41.4% in the group of surgeons with different special interests. Surgeons with different special interests were more likely to request Ca125 as a preoperative tumour marker (62.1% vs 32.3%). 19.3% of oncology surgeons, and 27.6% of surgeons with other special interest stated they would never remove an ovarian tumour via the laparoscopic approach. Follow-up practise was highly variable amongst survey participants in both surgeon groups regarding frequency, duration and further investigations during follow-up. Almost 50% of participants follow their patients up according to personal practice protocols.

CONCLUSION

This first national survey on the management of prepubertal ovarian tumours demonstrates great heterogeneity in the current approach amongst UK paediatric surgeons. Better evidence is needed to formulate clear guidance for the management of such tumours. We propose instigation of a multicentre registry for ovarian tumours to generate prospective data and clarify guidance for the future.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE STATEMENT

This is a level II evidence study. In itself it is a retrospective study, with the literature review including one large, high-quality prospective cohort study, and further prospective cohort studies of ordinary quality.

Artificial Light at Night (ALAN), an alarm to ovarian physiology: A study of possible chronodisruption on zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The ALAN is drawing the attention of researchers and environmentalists for its ever-increasing evidence on its capacity of "desynchronization" of organismal physiology. Photoperiod and circadian cycles are critical parameters to influence the biology of reproduction in several animals, including fish. The present study is the first proof of the development of an ovarian tumour with the effect of light in zebrafish (Danio rerio), an excellent model for circadian-related studies. Results of three experimental conditions, continuous light for one week, LLW, one month, LLM, and for one year, LLY revealed a clear desynchronization of clock associated genes (Clock1a, Bmal1a, Per2, and Cry2a). Interestingly, loss of rhythmicity and low concentration of melatonin found in these conditions in whole brain, retina, ovary, and serum through ELISA. RNA-Seq data of ovarian samples revealed the upregulation of Mid2, Tfg, Irak1, Pim2, Tradd, Tmem101, Nfkbib genes and ultimately increase the expression of NF-κB, a cellular transformer for tumourigenesis, confirmed by the western blot. The appearance of TNFα, inflammatory cytokines and activator of NF-κB also increased. Histology approved the formation of thecoma and granulosa cell tumour in the one year exposed ovarian sample. The whole transcriptome data analysis revealed 1791 significantly upregulated genes in an ovarian tumour. Among these genes, DAVID functional annotation tool identified 438 genes, directly linked to other physiological disorders. This study evidenced of an ovarian tumour induced by ALAN in zebrafish.

Persistent hyperthyroidism and de novo Graves' ophthalmopathy after total thyroidectomy

We report a patient with Graves' disease who remained persistently hyperthyroid after a total thyroidectomy and also developed de novo Graves' ophthalmopathy 5 months after surgery. She was subsequently found to have a mature cystic teratoma containing struma ovarii after undergoing a total hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy for an incidental ovarian lesion.

LEARNING POINTS

It is important to investigate for other causes of primary hyperthyroidism when thyrotoxicosis persists after total thyroidectomy.TSH receptor antibody may persist after total thyroidectomy and may potentially contribute to the development of de novo Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Cellular Fibroma of Ovary Coexisting with Proliferative Endometrium Post Menopause: A Rare Presentation

Ovarian fibromas are benign sex cord stromal tumours occurring in peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women. These tumours are composed of spindle fibroblastic cells producing collagen. They are almost always endocrine-inert and are rarely associated with hormone production. We report herein a case of a 60-year-old Indian woman presenting as post-menopausal bleeding. Imaging studies and endometrial biopsy revealed a right ovarian solid tumour coexisting with thickened proliferative endometrium, other causes of hyperoestrogenism being excluded in the woman. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Histopathology showed cellular fibroma of right ovary and proliferative endometrium with foci of hyperplasia without atypia.

Primary ovarian Burkitt's lymphoma: a rare oncological problem in gynaecology: a review of literature

Purpose

This review presents the information about epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of primary ovarian Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL), including a literature search of available BL cases. The purpose of this review is to draw clinicians’ attention to the possibility of ovarian BL occurrence, which may be important in the differential diagnosis of ovarian tumours.

Methods

PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched using the keywords ‘‘Burkitt’s’’, ‘‘Lymphoma’’, ‘‘Ovarian’’, ‘‘Primary’’, ‘‘Burkitt’s lymphoma’’. Only cases with histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of primary ovarian BL were included in this review.

Results

Fifty articles, reporting cases with an ovarian manifestation of primary non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, were found. Twenty-one cases with a histopathologically confirmed BL were evaluated to compare various manifestations, treatment and prognosis in ovarian BL.

Conclusions

Primary ovarian BL is a rare condition, included in the entity of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The tumour can occur uni- or bilaterally in the ovaries with major symptoms such as abdominal pain or a large abdominal mass. Differential diagnosis, based on imaging features and pathological examination of the specimens, is essential for further treatment due to various aetiology of ovarian tumours. Although most of the patients suffering from ovarian BL underwent surgery after the ovarian tumour had been detected, surgical treatment is not the treatment of choice in patients with ovarian lymphoma. The mainstay of therapy is chemotherapy without further surgery. The prognosis is better if the chemotherapy protocol is more aggressive and followed by prophylactic central nervous system chemotherapy. Nowadays, multiagent protocols are administered, which improves the survival rate.

Primary Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Ovary - A Case Report

The ovarian lymphoma is rare. Lymphoma presenting as an ovarian mass with initial manifestation is even rarer. We report a case of primary Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) of left ovary in a 52-year-old female presented with distension of abdomen and lower abdominal back pain. USG and CT-scan imaging suggested provisional diagnosis of ovarian tumour. The diagnosis of malignant lymphoma was made by histopathological examination of the excised tissue along with immunohistochemistry by using LCA, CD20, cytokeratin & CD3. The tumour was classified as diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Rarity of this lesion warrants its mention.

Preoperative Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Ovarian Lesions- Is It a Rapid and Effective Diagnostic Modality?

INTRODUCTION

The deep seated ovarian lesions unapproachable by unguided aspiration cytology were easily done under ultrasound guidance. It gave a before hand cytological diagnosis of the lesion to the surgeon determining the modality of treatment for the patient.

AIM

To find the diagnostic accuracy of the method of ultrasound guided cytological assessment of ovarian lesion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted as a prospective observational study over a period of one year, in hospital setting, where ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration had been used to aspirate ovarian lesions, giving a rapid cytological diagnosis. In 43 sample cases, aspiration of fluid done from ovarian lesions were followed by cyto-centrifugation and staining by May-Grunwald-Giemsa (MGG) and Papanicolaou (Pap) stain providing a cytological opinion regarding benign/malignant nature of the lesion and further categorization. Later the cytological diagnosis was compared with final histopathological diagnosis, taking it as a gold standard.

RESULTS

The overall sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound guided aspiration and cytological analysis were high, 96%, 76.92% and 89.47% respectively as calculated by comparing the cytological diagnosis with histological diagnosis, taking it as gold standard.

CONCLUSION

This method has evolved as a highly sensitive, rapid, simple and effective modality for screening and as well as accurate preoperative diagnosis of ovarian lesions.

Ovarian Brenner tumour: a morphologic and immunohistochemical analysis suggesting an origin from fallopian tube epithelium

BACKGROUND

Brenner tumours (BTs), like other epithelial ovarian tumours, are thought to develop from the ovarian surface epithelium.

AIM AND METHODS

We hypothesised that BTs arise from transitional metaplasia near the tuboperitoneal junction which, when embedded in the ovary as Walthard cell nests, may progress to BTs. The aim of this study was to validate this hypothesis by a morphologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis.

RESULTS

The IHC analysis revealed that fallopian tube secretory cells, transitional metaplasia, Walthard cell nests and the epithelial component of BTs shared a similar IHC profile, consistently expressing AKR1C3 (an enzyme involved in androgen biosynthesis) and androgen receptor, but not calretinin. The tumour stromal cells that immediately surrounded the epithelial nests showed strong expression of calretinin, inhibin and steroidogenic factor 1 (markers of steroidogenic cells) in the majority of BTs. Using a highly sensitive immunofluorescent staining method, we detected small groups of cilia in transitional metaplasia and Walthard cell nests, multifocal stretches of cilia and/or ciliated vacuoles in benign BTs and well-developed cilia in atypical proliferative BTs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest a tubal origin of BTs through transitional metaplasia and Walthard cell nests, based on their anatomic proximity, similar IHC profile and the presence of cilia. In addition, we hypothesise a role of androgenic stimulation in the pathogenesis of BT, based on the IHC staining pattern of calretinin, inhibin and steroidogenic factor 1 expressed in the luteinised stromal cells surrounding the epithelial nests of the tumours, and AKR1C3 and androgen receptor expressed in both the epithelial and stromal components.

Ovarian haemangioma: A rare case report

INTRODUCTION

Haemangioma of ovary is a rare tumour.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We report an ovarian haemangioma which presented as an acute abdomen due to an adnexal mass.

DISCUSSION

We report an ovarian haemangioma which presented as an acute abdomen due to an adnexal mass. Haemangiomas have been reported in other organs but ovarian haemangioma is a rare tumor, usually asymptomatic and presenting as an incidental finding. Large lesions tend to present clinically with pain. A few cases have been described in the literature.

CONCLUSION

Considering their rare occurrence such tumors are a diagnostic challenge.

Paraneoplastic erythrocytosis in a malignant ovarian steroid cell tumour

Neoplastic polycythemia is a condition in which high hematocrit levels result from a neoplastic lesion in the body. It is a rare condition and occur because of excess erythropoietin or androgen production by the neoplastic cells. Steroid cell tumours of the ovary though notorious for producing endocrine changes in the body have rarely been associated with polycythemia. We present the case of a post menopausal lady who developed polycythemia and features of virilisation. Further investigations revealed that she had steroid cell tumour of the left ovary. Her signs and symptoms resolved after surgical removal of the tumour.