GERM-CELL TUMORS OF THE OVARY ARISING AFTER DERMOID CYST RESECTION - A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

Objective: To study the long-term ovarian neoplastic consequences of r esection of a dermoid cyst. Methods: The study population comprised 99 patients who were operated on for an ovarian dermoid cyst. Follow-up information was obtained for 91 women for a mean period of 5.06 +/- 2. 46 years. Results: Of the 99 women, 18 had bilateral dermoid cysts. Mu ltiple dermoid cysts in a single ovary were found in nine of the women with bilateral cysts and in one of the remaining patients. Two patien ts developed malignant germ cell tumors, and three developed a recurre nt dermoid cyst in an ovary from which a dermoid cyst had previously b een extracted. Bilateral or multiple ovarian dermoid cysts were presen t at the initial operation in four (80%) of these patients. Conclusion s: Women with bilateral or multiple dermoid cysts may include a subgro up of patients with a greater tendency to develop future ovarian germ cell neoplasms.