Histology and prevalence of ovarian tumours in postmenopausal women: Is follow-up required in all cases? Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Informa Healthcare
The objective of this study was to determine if follow-up is required for all ovarian tumours incidentally diagnosed in postmenopausal women, by studying the prevalence and histology of ovarian
tumours in postmenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy. The
histopathology of adnexa in 100 consecutive postmenopausal women who
underwent an abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
for various indications, was reviewed. A total of 200 adnexa were
examined. Ovarian
pathology was found in 62/200 (31%). Of these 34/62 (53%) were
unilocular cystic tumours, 9/62 (15%) were multilocular tumours, 11/62
(18%) were solid tumours and 8/62 (11%) were uni or multilocular with
solid elements. The prevalence of borderline tumours was 4% and that of
malignant tumours was 5%. All tumours < 2 cm were found to be benign.
All unilocular cysts < 5 cm were benign. In conclusion, a vast
majority of ovarian tumours in this group of women were benign. It may be reasonable not to follow-up women with unilocular ovarian tumours < 5 cm who have a normal CA125.
