Combined modality treatment for malignant transformation of a benign ovarian teratoma

Malignant transformation of a mature teratoma is a rare event. Patients oft en remain free of symptoms until the tumor burden makes the prognosis poor, due to pelvic and peritoneal metastases, We present a case of squamous cel l carcinoma arising from a teratoma, with bowel and peritoneal invasion, Th e patient was treated by radical surgery followed by whole pelvic radiation and chemotherapy, This regimen, usually given for squamous cell tumors, su ch as cervical cancer, led to a 19-month persistant disease-free survival. (C) 1999 Academic Press.