How should the management of ovarian masses in children?

Abstract

Introduction: Prevalence of ovarian masses in children increase due to easy access to imaging techniques. There are conflicting views about evaluation and classification of ovarian masses for neoplasia in such age group in the literature. Material and methods: The patients who were monitored and treated because of ovarian mass in pediatric surgery and obstetrics and gynaecology clinics were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data, symptoms, dimensions and lateralization of the mass, serum tumour markers, histopathological evaluation results, and treatment outcomes of the patients enrolled in were recorded. Ovarian masses of the participants were divided into two groups as non-neoplastic group (NNG) and neoplastic group (NG) depending on imaging techniques, serum tumour markers and histopathological analysis results. Results were statistically reviewed. Results: There was not any statistical difference between NG and NNG for age, body mass index, mass diameter, initial symptoms, and mass lateralization (p>0.05). Review of ovarian masses reported by imaging techniques revealed that pure cystic appearance was statistically significant for NNG (p=0.012). Duration of the surgery and hospitalization were detected shorter in NNG treated laparoscopically (p=0.023). Conclusion: Surgical treatment of ovarian masses in children should be ovarian protective as much as possible. However, there is not any reliable and proven marker that may differentiate a benign ovarian mass from a malignant ovarian mass in paediatric patients like adult population. A detailed medical history, physical examination, imaging methods, and adequate tumour markers should be used for preoperative evaluation of adnexial masses.

Keywords

• child
• malignancy
• ovarian neoplasms
• surgery