Retrospective Study of histomorphological spectrum of ovarian tumours in GCS Medical College, Hospital and Research Center, Ahmedabad

Rangaliya K.¹, Purohit A.², Patel S.M.³

¹Dr. Kalpesh Rangaliya, Resident, ²Dr. Asha Purohit, Associate Professor, ³Dr. Shantibhai M. Patel, HOD & Professor, all authors are affiliated with Department of Pathology, GCS Medical College Hospital and Research Center.

Corresponding Author: Dr. Asha Purohit, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, GCS Medical College Hospital and Research Center. E-mail: ashapurohit54@gmail.com

Abstract

Background and objectives: Ovarian tumours accounts for 30% of female genital cancers and have become increasingly important not only because of the large variety of neoplastic entities but also because they have gradually increased the mortality rate. Ovarian neoplasm remains asymptomatic until there is massive ovarian enlargement which causes compression of pelvic structures, ascites, abdominal distension or distant metastasis.Thus present study was undertaken to analyze the frequency of various histomorphological spectrum, histological subtypes and age distribution pattern of ovarian tumours. Methods: Retrospective study was carried during period of 1st June 2017 to 30st November 2018, 57 cases of ovarian neoplastic lesions were taken from the records of the department. Results: A total number of 57 cases were studied. Among these, 41cases (71.92%) were of benign tumours, 2 cases (3.50%) were of borderline tumours and 14 cases (24.56%) were of malignant tumours. Serous cystadenomas (26/41) (63.41%) were the commonest benign tumours followed by Mucinous cystadenomas (6/41)(14.63%). Among the malignant surface epithelial tumours serous cystadenocarcinomas (6/14) (42.86%) were most common followed by Mucinous cystadenocarcinomas (3/14) (21.43%). Germ cell neoplasms constituted 19.30% of all ovarian neoplasms. Conclusion: Ovarian tumours cannot easily be diagnosed by clinical symptoms only, histological examination is therefore necessary for diagnosis and grading of ovarian tumours. Females with family history of endometrial and breast carcinoma has got increased incidence of ovarian carcinoma and ovary is also common site for metastasis from other primary gynecological as well as non gynecological carcinomas e.g. endometrium, stomach and breast. Hence present study was carried out in the department of pathology for early diagnosis of ovarian carcinomas, their histological sub typing and their age distribution pattern.

Keywords: Ovarian tumours, Benign, Borderline, Malignant

Manuscript received: 4th January 2019 Reviewed: 14th January 2019 

Author Corrected: 18th January 2019 Accepted for Publication: 21st January 2019

Introduction

Ovarian tumours are common forms of neoplasia in women and accounts for 30% of female genital cancers [1]. The earliest report of the ovarian neoplasms has been reported by shushruta in his book ‘shushruta and ayurveda’.

Incidence and prevalence of ovarian cancer vary in different geographical areas of the country. Indian trend analysis reveals a steady increase in the age with standardized incidence rate of ovarian cancer ranging from 0.26% to 2.44% per year in different areas registries. It has worst prognosis among all gynecological malignancies and has highest case fatality rate. Overall 5‑year survival is 45%, primarily because of the late stage at diagnosis of the disease [2].

Ovarian neoplasms have become increasingly important not only because of the large variety of neoplastic entities but also because they have gradually increased the mortality rate in female genital cancers.

Most ovarian tumours cannot be confidently distinguished from one another on the basis of their clinical or gross characteristics alone. These features provide important diagnostic clues in some cases, however in such cases both the clinician and the pathologist should share their valuable information in establishing a correct diagnosis [3].

There is increased risk of developing ovarian, breast, or endometrial (uterine) cancer, if the person inherits a specific type of genetic abnormality called a BRCA1 or BRCA2mutation [4].

Family history of Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer [HNPCC]) which is an autosomal dominant genetic condition has a high risk of colon cancer as well as other cancers including endometrial cancer (second most common), ovary, stomach, small intestine, hepatobiliary tract, upper urinary tract, brain, and skin. Women in families with this trait have up to a 60 percent chance of developing endometrial cancer and 10 to 12 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer [5].

Ovary is common site of metastases from other primary malignancies, and 5-30% of ovarian cancers are metastatic malignancies. Metastatic ovarian carcinoma accounted for 15.7% of all ovarian malignancies. The primary sites of non gynecologic tumours are the colon (30%), stomach (16%), appendix (13%), breast (13%), pancreas (12%), biliary tract (15%), and liver (4%). Gynecologic primary sites are the uterine cervix (4%) and the uterine body (23%).In study primary malignancies were detected first in 66 patients (44%) and simultaneously with ovarian metastasis in 53 patients (35.3%). An ovarian mass was the first manifestation of disease in 20.6% of the cases. Patients ranged in age from 26 to 72 years (mean, 51). Krukenberg tumours were found in 35 patients (23%) [6].

Cytoreductive surgery in metastatic ovarian cancer may be beneficial for the initial diagnosis or symptom relief, but the survival benefit of surgery remains controversial [7].Cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer is generally performed at the time of diagnosis, when it is referred to as primary cytoreduction, it is also performed during primary chemotherapy (interval cytoreduction) and after disease recurrence (secondary cytoreduction). [8].

Evaluation of PAX8 and h-caldesmon expression can successfully distinguish mesothelioma from serous ovarian tumours [9].

Evaluation of ovarian enlargement is best accomplished by ultrasound. CA 125 most frequently used biomarker for ovarian cancerishigher than normal in approximately 80 percent of women with ovarian cancer.CA 125 is commonly used to monitor women with ovarian cancer; however benign situations like endometriosis and infection can also elevate CA 125 level. Other diagnostic tests for epithelial ovarian cancer include human epididymis protein (HE4), the OVA1 panel, and the Risk of Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA). [10].

Serous tumours make up about one-fourth of all ovarian tumours. Most cases occur in adults and approximately 30–50% tumours are bilateral. Both low-grade serous carcinoma and atypical proliferative serous tumor (APST)/non-invasive MPSC (micro papillary serous borderline tumor) are characterized by mutations of the KRAS, BRAF, orERBB2 genes, in which approximately two thirds of tumours have a mutation of 1 of these genes. However, KRAS and BRAF are much more commonly mutated than ERBB2 [11].

Mucinous neoplasms are less common than serous neoplasms and are bilateral in only 10–20% cases. Microscopically ovarian mucinous tumours particularly those of a borderline nature, have been divided into two major types 1) Intestinal type -according to the World Health Organization criteria for the diagnosis of intestinal type mucinous borderline tumor include the following elements: tumors contain cystic spaces lined by gastrointestinal type mucinous epithelium with stratification and may form filiform papillae with at least minimal stromal support; nuclei are slightly larger than those seen in cystadenomas; mitotic activity is present; goblet cells and sometimes Paneth cells are present, but stromal invasion is absent [12]and2) Endocervical type-, It is a rare ovarian tumor with low or borderline malignant potential. The causal factors for ovarian mucinous borderline tumour of endocervical type are unknown though genetic mutations have been reported in some cases.

Distinction of borderline tumours is not always easy (particularly with the carcinomas, in which it is rarely attempted), andis backed by ultra structural, histochemical, and immunohistochemicaldata. Immuno-histochemistry may also be useful in determining primary versus metastatic mucinous ovarian carcinoma, primary mucinous ovarian carcinoma often demonstrate CK7 and CK20 positivity, while colorectal primaries are usually positive only for CK20 [13].

The secondary development of malignancy is a rare but well-known phenomenon in patients with ovarian teratomas.Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 80% of secondary malignant transformations of ovarian teratomas [14].

Material and Methods

The present study was based on histopathological evaluation of 57 cases of ovarian neoplastic lesions.

Place of study: Department of Histopathology, G.C.S. Medical College Hospital and Research Center, Ahmedabad.

Type of study: Retrospective study was carried during period of 1^st June 2017 to 30^st November 2018.

Sampling Methods: Cases were taken from the records of the department, blocks were retrieved and relevant clinical history was noted from the requisition forms.

Inclusion criteria: Present study included all benign and malignant ovarian tumours.

Exclusion criteria: 1) Paraffin blocks made from frozen specimen.2) Reports which were inconclusive

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.

Classification: The lesions were then classified and studied according to WHO Classification of ovarian tumors. [15].

Statistical methods: Microsoft offices excel 2007.

Results

A total number of 57 cases were studied. Among these, 41cases (71.92%) were benign, 2 cases (3.50%) were borderline and 14 cases (24.56%) were malignant tumours.

Benign neoplasms were most commonly seen in 2nd to 5th decade, whereas malignant neoplasms were commonly seen in 5th decade (Table – 1, 2).Out of 43 surface epithelial tumors 78.04% were benign, 21.95% were malignant and 0.02% were border line neoplasms as per Table- 3

Serous cystadenomas (63.41%) were the commonest benign tumour followed by Mucinous cystadenomas (14.63%) as per Table - 1.

Among the malignant surface epithelial tumours, serous cystadenocarcinoma (14.63%) were most common followed by Mucinous cystadenocarcinomas (0.07%).Germ cell neoplasms constituted 19.30% of all ovarian neoplasms. Most of the germ cell neoplasms (81.81%) were benign and reported as mature cystic teratomas or dermoid cysts a tumours composed of tissues representing at least two but usually all three embryonic layers. Two cases were reported as Dysgerminoma. 0.02% cases were classified as Sex cord stromal tumours.

Table1: Frequency of individual benign tumours in different age groups

Table-2: Frequency of individual malignant tumours in different age groups

Table-3: Distribution of ovarian neoplasms according to histological type

Table-4: Frequency of benign, malignant and borderline ovarian neoplasms in various studies.

                                      Fig-1                                                                                          Fig.-2

Figure-1: Serous cystadenoma of the ovary: [H&E10 x] shows cuboidal to columnar lining epithelium.

Figure-2: Serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary: [H&E40 x] shows papillary growth with hyper chromatic nuclei.

     Fig.-3                                                                                        Fig.-4

Figure-3: Mucinous cystadenoma of the ovary. [H&E10 x] shows tall columnar mucin producing epithelium.

Figure-4: Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma: [H&E 10 x] fig shows papillae and glands lined by highly atypical cells with frequent mitoses. The underlying stroma penetrated by nests of malignant cells.

Discussion

Most ovarian tumours cannot be confidently distinguished from one another on the basis of their clinical or gross characteristics alone. This feature provide important diagnostic clues in some casesand in such cases both the clinician and the pathologist should share their valuable information in establishing a correct diagnosis.

Benign ovarian cysts are the commonest ovarian neoplasm constituting about 80% of ovarian tumours and mostly occur in young women between the ages of 20-40 years. Borderline tumours occur at slightly older ages and are categorized by abnormal cells that form in the tissue covering the ovary and usually affect women aged between 20 - 40 years whereas the malignant tumours are common in older women between the ages of 40-65 years.

Though certain investigations like peritoneal fluid cytology, estimation of serum lactate dehydrogenase, fibrin degradation products and immunological tests have been reported to be of some help in predicting the nature of the pathology, it is generally impossible to diagnose the nature of the ovarian tumour preoperatively just by clinical examination and exploration. Hence one has to depend on the microscopic appearance of the tumour for further management of the ovarian tumours [16].

In present study of 41cases (71.92%) were benign, 14 cases (24.56%) were malignant and 2 cases (2.1%) were borderline tumours whichis almost similar to the data from western countries where 70.0-80.0% of ovarian tumours were benign.

One of the studiesin India by Pilli et al observed similar results with 75.20 % of cases, whereas study in Pakistan by Ahmed et al observed only 59.18 % of benigncases. Table- 4

Benign neoplasms were most commonly seen in 3rd to 5th decade, whereas malignant neoplasms were commonly seen in 5th decade. Similar results were also observed in otherstudies, with peak incidence of ovarian tumours in the same age group [18].

Among the major histological classes, the commonest type of ovarian neoplasm seen in present study was surface epithelial tumours (75.43%). However, a higher incidence of epithelial tumours (90%) was documented in study done byGuppey et al [17].

Serous cyst adenocarcinomas are the most common primary epithelial ovarian malignancy in this study. Tumours in borderline category are characterized by epithelial proliferation greater than that of the benign tumour but an absence of destructive invasive stroma. In this study only 2.1% (2/57) tumours were classified as borderline tumours or tumours of low malignant potential.

The data available from present study can help in recognizing the pattern of ovarian tumours. Whether the malignant tumour arises de novo or benign tumour transforms into malignant is the subject of ongoing debate and research.

Germ cell tumours comprised 19.30% of all ovarian neoplasms. This is similar to findings reported by Tyagi, et al. (23.58%) [19].

81.81% of ovarian germ cell tumours are mature cystic teratomas in the western world which was also observed in present study. The frequency of sex – cord – stromal tumours (SCST) in present study was 0.02%. This is comparable with study in Pakistan by Ahmed et al. [20]

Acknowledgements: I am grateful toDr S.M.Patel Head, Department of Pathology, G.C.S medical college hospital and research center.

My warm thanks to Dr Deepak Joshi for his continuous knowledge.

I am highly indebted to my teacher Dr Asha Purohit for her motivation and guidance in preparing manuscript.

I am also thankful to technical staff of histopathology department for their continuous technical support when ever needed.

What this study adds to existing knowledge:Ovarian neoplasms have gradually increased the mortality rate in female genital cancersthis study will help to find incidence of various ovarian tumuors, their age distribution pattern and their morphological subtypes, early diagnosis will reduce the mortality due to ovarian neoplasm.

References