Clinical, Diagnostic and Anatomical Aspects of Mature Cystic Teratomas

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical and anatomic aspects of cystic teratomas of the ovary, characteristics of patients with MCTs and the management trends in a multi-center study. A retrospective, descriptive study of 180 patients diagnosed and treated for MCTs, between January 2005 and December 2012. Cases' age, cyst diameter, operation procedure, preoperative Ca 125 and Ca 19-9 values were recorded. The mean age was 37.4±12.1 years old. The most frequent symptom was abdominal pain (48.8%) though in a high percentage of the cases (51.2%) the patients were asymptomatic. The mean size of tumors was 7.9±3.6 cm. The mean cyst diameter for patients undergoing cystectomy was 6.7±3.1 cm; for oophorectomy, 9.1±3.3 cm; and for hysterectomy, 9.28 ± 4.1 cm. Of the cases, 11.2% were bilateral. The most frequently used diagnostic procedure was transvaginal ultrasound with a correct diagnostic rate of 58.3%. Only 17.2% of the cases underwent laparoscopy. The most frequent surgical method was unilateral cystectomy (60.1%). The ovarian function was preserved in 74.8% of the patients. The mean value for Ca 19-9 was 158.3 (13-854), while the mean value of Ca 125 was 22.6 (1-291).Mature cystic teratomas are the most frequently observed masses in the reproductive era and require preservation of fertility during treatment. In first stage diagnosis TVUSG is cheap, easily available and is still the first diagnostic modality. As tumor size increases, an increase in CA-125 and CEA 19-9 levels is observed.