| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4303528 | Journal of Surgical Research | 2009 | 5 Pages |
BackgroundConcerns of malignant potential have impacted the utilization of ovarian salvage for treatment of ovarian masses in children.MethodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry was analyzed for all females ≤ 19 y diagnosed with an ovarian tumor between 1973 and 2005.ResultsOverall, 1037 pediatric patients with ovarian tumors were identified. Approximately 61.7% of tumors occurred in patients 15 to 19 y old. The age-adjusted incidence of all malignant pediatric ovarian tumors in those ≤ 9 y was 0.102 versus 1.072 per 100,000 in those aged 10 to 19 y. The majority of cases (57.4%) present at an early localized stage. The predominant pathology was germ cell tumors in all age groups (77.4%). Overall 5- and 10-y survival rates are 91.7% and 91.4%, respectively. By multivariate analysis, advanced disease stage (HR 3.17, P < 0.001), lack of surgery (HR 4.49, P = 0.039), and poorly differentiated tumors (HR 3.40, P = 0.011) were associated with worse outcomes.ConclusionsMalignant ovarian tumors are rare, particularly in patients under 5 y of age. Furthermore, the most common histologies are of low metastatic potential and carry high cure rates. Thus, the surgeon should implement ovarian-sparing strategies on the affected ovary unless a malignancy is clearly suspected and conserve the contralateral ovary in all children.
