Ovarian neoplasms in adolescence and childhood--an analysis of twenty cases.

Between January, 1999 and June, 2001 consecutive twenty cases of ovarian tumours in girls below 20 years of age admitted in Burdwan Medical College, Burdwan, West Bengal were analysed. Commonest presentation was lump abdomen (80%), 15% presented with acute abdomen, one patient presented with virilisation and another with precocious puberty and 85% had single ovarian involvement. Among 5 cases of torsion of ovarian tumours, one along with the twisted uterus was detected. Conservative surgery in the form of cystectomy or unilateral oophorectomy with or without salpingectomy was possible in 85% cases. Germ cell tumours (60%) took the leading place followed by epithelial (3 0%) and sex-cord stromal tumour (10%). Fifty percent neoplasms were malignant with majority (80%) being instage I. Combination chemotherapy was considered for 7 out of 10 cases. Conservative surgery in one hand and the fear of malignancy on the other are the real problems in these cases. Early detection, optimal therapy and intense follow-up are the key points of the management.