A 14-year-old patient from the Rzeszów region, treated in Katowice, was found to have 15-centimeter ovarian tumors after experiencing abdominal pain for two months.
Patient’s Journey to Diagnosis
The patient was referred from the Rzeszów region to Katowice after experiencing abdominal and lower rib pain for approximately two months. Diagnostic imaging, including an abdominal ultrasound and CT scan, revealed tumorous changes in the pelvic area.
Complex Surgical Intervention
Doctors diagnosed the patient with bilateral ovarian tumors, each reaching a diameter of 15 cm. Due to the size and nature of the condition, urgent surgical treatment was decided upon at the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Department of the Silesian Medical University, operating within the St. Boniface Hospital.
“The operation was extremely difficult, but we were able to remove the bilateral ovarian changes with oncological purity and preserve the remaining healthy ovarian tissue,” stated Dr. Agnieszka Drosdzol-Cop, a pediatric gynecologist, to PAP.
Understanding Ovarian Tumors
Ovarian tumors of the teratoma type are among the most common benign growths in adolescents, representing a significant percentage of diagnoses in the 13-19 age group. These tumors are typically benign, but large sizes, positive specific markers, and the potential for malignant transformation require attention.
The Origin of Teratomas
Teratomas have a unique origin linked to the very early stages of human development. They arise from germ cells, which initially have the ability to transform into various body tissues. These pluripotent cells can result in components like hair, skin, teeth, fat, bone, and even brain tissue within the teratoma.
Positive Prognosis and Future Fertility
Specialists noted that large tumors carry risks of complications such as ovarian torsion or damage, potentially leading to organ removal.
“I think our brave patient will return to normal functioning after the recovery period, her menstrual cycle will not be disturbed, and the procedure should not affect her reproductive plans in the future,” concluded Dr. Drosdzol-Cop.
