A 9-Year Review Of Ovarian Masses in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Objective:

This retrospective study was planned to determine the distribution and treatment of various types of ovarian tumors in children and adolescents under 16 years of age presenting with ovarian masses, and was carried out in the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatric Surgery at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Haryana, India.

Patients and Methods:

All the patients under 16 years of age presenting with ovarian masses over a period of 9 years from 1999 to March 2007 were included in study. The age distribution of the girls, menstrual history, marital status, symptoms, type of ovarian tumor, and treatment given were noted, and the data were compiled and analyzed.

Results:

Mean age was 12.24 ± 3.37 years. The most common complaint was mass in the abdomen (76.19%), followed by pain in the abdomen (42.85%), loss of weight and appetite (11.90%), and amenorrhea (7.14%). The most common type of tumor was germ-cell tumors (54.76%), followed by epithelial tumors (19.04%), functional cysts (14.28%), and stromal tumors (11.90%). Germ-cell tumors were more frequent in children under the age of 10 years. In all patients conservative surgery was performed

Conclusions:

Abdominal mass is the commonest complaint among girls in the Indian population under 16 years of age, followed by pain in the abdomen. Most (85.71%) of the tumors in children and adolescent are benign. Germ-cell tumors are the most common. Fertility preserving surgery is the treatment of choice in children and adolescents.