Abstract: There are several numbers of benign and malignant lesions occurring within the ovaries and Benign ovarian cysts being the most common among adolescents and child bearing age and constitute about 90% of ovarian tumours.
Aim & Objectives: A Prospective observational study, to assess the clinical manifestations along with its tumor markers and histopathological pattern of ovarian masses in adolescents in Sri Ramachandra Institute of higher education and Research between September 2016 and September 2018.
Methods: The study included adolescent age group between 11-19 years.Patients were explained about the study in detail following which detailed clinical history and physical examination were recorded. Routine laboratory parameters along with tumour markers were sent and postoperatively the excised specimen was sent for histopathology. Then the results were analysed.
Results: Among 101 patients, the common age of presentation in our study was among 17 to 19 years (54.4%) and common presenting complain was pain abdomen (70.2%). In our study, Benign ovarian masses were more common in adolescent age group. Simple serous cyst (34.7%) was the most common pathology among the benign ovarian masses. CA 125 was observed to be elevated in benign ovarian tumors -simple serous cyst (19.8%) and serous (5%) and mucinous cystdenoma (2%). AFP, LDH, and β-hCG were found to have high positive rate for germ cell tumors. CA 19-9 was observed to be elevated in dermoid cyst (5%) and Mucinous Cystadenoma (2%), and CEA was found to be elevated in Dermoid cyst (2%).
Conclusion: One should aim for an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention. While surgical intervention should target to preserve fertility, adhesion prevention measures should be employed in benign ovarian masses. Tumor markers are helpful tool for diagnosis but not reliable when used in isolation and has a limited value in differentiating benign from malignant pelvic masses.