Neoplastic and Nonneoplastic Cystic Diseases of the Ovary: A Three-Year Prospective Study in a Tertiary-Care Center in Southern India

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of morphologic patterns of neoplastic and nonneoplastic cystic ovarian lesions, and their distribution in different age groups in a tertiary-care center in Southern India. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of all cystic ovarian lesions diagnosed during a period of 3 years. Results: There was a total 303 cases of cystic ovarian lesions, of which 232 cases were neoplastic. Of the neoplastic lesions, benign tumors comprised 214 cases, borderline tumors 5 cases, and malignant tumors 13 cases. Of 232 cases having neoplastic lesions, 26 were associated with various nonneoplastic lesions as well. Surface epithelial tumors emerged as the most common, accounting for 190 cases (81.90%); followed by germ-cell tumors, with 40 cases (17.24%); and sex-cord stromal tumors being least common, with 2 cases (0.86%). Among the malignant tumors, immature teratoma was the commonest type, with 4 cases (30.77%); followed by papillary serous cyst adenocarcinomas, with 3 cases (23.08%). Conclusions: Cystic lesions of the ovary should be evaluated histologically to decide the future course of management. Cystic ovarian tumors were found to occur in wide range of ages (from 8 days to 76 years). Compared to the U.S. population (13%-21%), the distribution of malignant ovarian tumors in cystic lesions in this study (5.6%) was lower.