MALIGNANT SQUAMOUS DEGENERATION OF OVARIAN DERMOID CYSTS - REPORT OF 2 CASES

Malignant transformation of benign ovarian cystic teratomas has been r eported in 0.5 to 2 % of cases. Many different types of cancer can dev elop, including squamous cell carcinoma, which is by far the most freq uent (75 %). The mean age of diagnosis is over 50 years. Minimal surgi cal techniques have been increasingly popular and laparoscopic removal of benign ovarian cysts has become common practice. Malignant transfo rmation is rare but needs to be recognized in order to avoid dissemina tion of malignant cells during surgery. Direct invasion of the adjacen t pelvic structures and small intestine represents the most common mod e of spread. Survival is not improved by post-operative radiotherapy o r adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with extracapsular disease. We rep ort two cases, one of which presented with spontaneous ovarian abscess and paraneoplastic hypercalcemia.