Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma Arising Within a Mature Ovarian Teratoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Mature cystic teratoma is the most common kind of ovarian germ cell tumor. Malignant transformation is uncommon, with thyroid cancer rarely found. Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma has rarely been described as associated with ovarian teratomas. We report a case of a 34-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain and an ovarian mass. After surgery, the patient was diagnosed with a follicular variant papillary thyroid microcarcinoma that arose within a mature cystic ovarian teratoma. Based on the small size of the primary lesion and patient preferences, no further treatment was performed. To our knowledge, this is the third reported case of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma arising within a mature ovarian teratoma without struma ovarii. There is no consensus on the surgical approach and postoperative management of this condition. Whether further therapy with total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation may be beneficial is unknown. In conclusion, papillary thyroid microcarcinoma can also arise within mature ovarian teratomas. Although a favorable prognosis is anticipated, there is limited information about its history or prognosis.

A rare case of synchronous follicular thyroid carcinoma arising within a mature cystic ovarian teratoma and stage IV differentiated thyroid cancer in iodine-deficient area in Viet Nam

“…The histopathologic types were papillary thyroid carcinoma (55%), a follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (40%) and only 1 case of follicular thyroid carcinoma (5%). 7 Since then, five additional cases have been reported, but none were FTC. [8][9][10][11][12] Follicular thyroid carcinoma is more common in iodine-deficient areas.…”

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Struma Ovarii

“…In malignant struma ovarii, BRAF, HRAS, and NRAS point mutations and RET rearrangements are among several molecular abnormalities. However, the importance of these molecular abnormalities on the prognosis of this tumor is unknown [8].…”

Papillary thyroid carcinoma arising within a mature cystic teratoma of ovary: a rare case report

“…5 In struma ovary 5-37% are complicated by thyroid carcinomas. 2 In the case of incidentally found teratoma with thyroid tissue, a further diagnostic workup is needed. 6 In our case, we had performed thyroid ultrasonography which showed normal thyroid gland, thyroid function test revealed euthyroid status and anti-thyroglobulin antibody was negative and thyroglobulin level was not elevated to suggest a distant metastasis from thyroid.…”

“…3 Although a favorable prognosis is anticipated of papillary thyroid carcinoma arising in mature cystic teratoma, the information about its prognosis is limited. 2 The exact incidence of malignancy in mature cystic teratoma is difficult to evaluate, because of its uncommon nature. 1,3 We report a rare case of papillary thyroid carcinoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary.…”