Mature cystic ovarian teratomas: Relationship between histopathological contents and clinical features

Objectives: Mature cystic teratomas (MCT) originate from three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. The predictive significance of tumor markers in mature cystic teratomas is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of tumor markers in ovarian MCTs and histopathological contents of tumor. Materials and Methods: The data of 106 patients who were operated for ovarian MCT between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively analysed. In addition, slides in the pathology archive were re-examined under a microscope to evaluate their histopathological contents. Results: The average age of the patients was 35.7; 26.7 in the cystectomy group and 42.1 in the oophoreetomy group (p = 0.000). The ratio of tumor markers exceeding the cut off value for carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cancer antigen (CA 125), carcinoma antigen (CA 15-3), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were 45.2%; 47.7%; 8.15%; 12.3%; 6.9%, respectively. Histopathological examination of MCTs revealed 99.1% ectoderm, 45.3% mesodermal, 39.6% endodermal origin. Conclusion: Mature cystic teratoma is a benign tumor of the reproductive age that contains three germ layers in various proportions. LDH and CA 19-9 can be a helpful tool in predicting mature cystic teratomas.