Solid teratomas of the ovary

Abstract

The pathology and clinical follow-up of seven solid ovarian teratomas diagnosed over a 25-year period were reviewed. Prognosis could be related, within limits, to the histologic degree of maturation of the component tissue—tumors composed solely of adult elements pursued a benign course, while teratomas consisting principally of immature elements were fatal. The behavior of tumors of intermediate maturation was hazardous to predict. The benign behavior of neoplasms with mature glial peritoneal implants is reviewed, and the importance of thorough sectioning is emphasized. Neuroectodermal derivatives were the principal embryonal components withing these tumors.