Ovarian mature teratomas: Differences in management and outcomes in
adolescents cared for by gynecologic and pediatric surgeons
Abstract
Background: Ovarian mature teratomas (OMTs) are the most common
benign ovarian tumors in pediatric patients. Management in adolescents
can be performed by pediatric (PSs) or gynecologic surgeons (GSs). The
aim of this study was to assess the differences in OMT management and
the repercussions according to the risk of secondary events.
Design: We compared patients aged 14 to 18 who underwent
surgery for OMT between 2009 and 2022 from the French national pediatric
database of OMTs with patients managed by GSs at a regional scale.
Results: 119 patients were included (80 by PSs, 39 by GSs).
Differences between teams were noted: (i) tumor marker analysis is
systematic by PSs (80%, n = 72) but rare by GSs (18%, n = 7), (ii) PSs
mostly carried out a laparotomy (78%, n = 62), whereas GSs preferred
laparoscopy (90%, n = 35), (iii) per operative rupture was more
frequent by GSs (56%, n = 22) than PSs (10%, n = 8), (iv) median
duration of follow-up increased by PSs (20 months) versus 1 month by
GSs. Ten second events (13% by GSs (n = 5), 6% by PSs (n = 5))
occurred in nine patients, without significant differences.
Conclusion: A notable difference exists in the management of
OMTs between PSs and GSs who may overlook a malignant component in germ
cell tumors in adolescents and the risk of metachronous recurrence,
however reported up to 10-20%. Compliance to SIOPE 2020 is recommended
to avoid rupture of potential malignant tumor and to preserve fertility.