Publication:

Malignant transformation of ovarian dermoid: a rare case

Mature cystic teratoma also known as the dermoid cyst is the most common benign tumor of the ovary (10 – 20%) in women of reproductive age. Malignant transformation in a dermoid is very rare (<2%) with squamous cell carcinoma being the most common malignancy. A total of 36 ovarian cysts have been operated in our hospital from the year February 2007 to April 2012 of which about 90% were dermoid but no case of ovarian dermoid turned malignant have been reported till date in our state, Sikkim, India. We report a rare case of dermoid cyst of ovary in a 47 yr old woman which had malignant transformation. Surgeons should keep the chance of malignant transformation in mind when faced with a dermoid cyst especially in older patients or in larger than usual so that the best can be done for the patient regarding the staging of the disease and its further management.