Histopathological pattern of neoplastic ovarian lesions

Introduction: Ovarian neoplasm is the most fascinating tumor of women in terms of its histogenesis, clinical behavior and malignant potential. The ovary is the third most common site of primary malignancy in female genital tract after cervix and endometrium accounting for 30% of all cancers of female genital tract. Aim and objectives: To study frequency and distribution of different histological types of ovarian tumors and to analyse age distribution of these tumors and to find out frequency of benign and malignant neoplasms of ovary. Material and methods: The present study was based on histopathological evaluation of 97 cases of ovarian neoplastic lesions received at the Department of Histopathology, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad during October 2012 to October 2013. The gross specimens received were fixed in 10 percent formalin for 24 hours and multiple sections from each specimen were taken to include the representative area for histological examination. Sections were processed by routine paraffin method, blocks were cut at five micron thickness and the sections were stained with conventional Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain. The lesions were then classified and studied according to WHO Classification of ovarian tumors. (ICD - 9th edition). Results: A total number of 97 cases were studied. Among these, 82 cases (84.5%) were benign, 2 cases (2.1%) were borderline and 13 cases (13.4%) were malignant tumors. Benign neoplasms were most commonly seen in 3rd to 5th decade, whereas malignant neoplasms were commonly seen in 5th decade. Serous cystadenoma (52.7%) was the commonest benign tumor followed by Mucinous cystadenoma (28.4%). Among the malignant surface epithelial tumors, serous cystadenocarcinomas (8.1%) were most common followed by Mucinous cystadenocarcinomas (4.1%). Conclusion: Benign ovarian tumors were more common than malignant ones for all age groups. Surface epithelial tumors were the most common class of tumors. Serous cystadenoma was the most common ovarian tumor overall as well as the most common benign tumor, whereas serous cystadenocarcinoma was the most common ovarian malignancy. Malignant ovarian tumors were more common above 40 years.