Strumal carcinoid of the ovary - report of two cases and review of literature

Abstract

Objective: Strumal carcinoid (SC) is a rare ovarian germ-cell tumour, which is characterized by a mixture of thyroid tissue and carcinoid. It can be presented as a monodermal teratoma or as a part of mature cystic teratoma (dermoid cyst).

Design: Case report.

Setting: Department of pathology, St. Elisabeth Cancer Institute, Bratislava.

Methods and results: Hereby the authors describe two cases of this rare tumour in clinically asymptomatic women, 46- and 52-year-old, whom tumours were diagnosed at preventive gynaecological examination. The tumours considered of solid - cystic features, measured 65×45×40 mm and 75×45×40 mm and both contained parts of SC represented by tougher yellowish gelatinous areas. In both cases, SC was a part of the mature cystic teratoma (dermoid cyst), with predominated content. Histologically, both SC had a characteristic composition of intimate mixture of mature thyroid tissue and carcinoid. Immunohistochemically, the thyroid tissue stained positively with cytokeratin7, thyroglobulin and thyroid transcription factor-1, and the carcinoid component exhibited expression of synaptophysin and chromogranin A (only in one case). Tumour cells of both components of SC were negative for calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen. Both tumours showed low proliferation activity expressed by Ki-67 (up to 2%). Tumours were diagnosed in stage IA, and up to now are patients without any complications associated with tumours, free of relapse for 3 years and 6 months, respectively.

Conclusion: SC represents an interesting form of primary ovarian carcinoid, which is usually asymptomatic and when confined to ovary, mostly has benign behaviour and can be treated by simple one-sided or bilateral adnexectomy. Keywords ovary, germ cell tumours, strumal carcinoid, immunohistochemistry.

Keywords: germ cell tumours; immunohistochemistry; ovary; strumal carcinoid.