Background: Malignant transformation in a mature cystic ovarian
teratoma is rare. Except in cases with high index of suspicion or overt
metastasis, oophorectomy is the mainstay of treatment for ovarian
teratoma. Method: A 46-year-old perimenopausal woman who had
salpingo-oophorectomy following a clinical diagnosis of benign ovarian
tumour that was subsequently reported histologically as mature cystic
ovarian teratoma with malignant transformation is presented. Results:
She was referred to our facility based on the histopathology report and
haematuria two weeks after surgery. Cystoscopic biopsy done was
reported as metastatic squamous cell carcinoma most probably from the
ovary. Patient was thereafter referred for radiotherapy but was lost to
follow-up after the first course. Conclusion: Adequate evaluation prior
to surgery in suspected ovarian teratoma with malignant transformation
is critical to determine extent of surgery and adjuvant therapy.
Prognosis in advanced disease condition such as the case presented is
generally poor although radical pelvic surgery with resection of the
adjacent involved bladder before radiotherapy would probably have
improved her prognosis
