Histopathological insights into ovarian tumors: A case series perspective

Abstract

: Ovarian cancer stands as the third most prevalent cancer among women in India and contributes to 6% of cancer-related facilities emphasizing its significant impact on mortality. Usually, it manifests with nonspecific symptoms in correlation with age, leading to a frequent oversight in early diagnosis causing more advanced stages when intervention becomes challenging.Case records of six patientsshed light on the diverse spectrum of ovarian neoplasms encountered in clinical practice, highlighting the complexity and heterogeneity within this disease entity of different age groups. In our case series, we found that the overall burden of ovarian cancer was heaviest in the age group 20–45, while the increase was the largest in the age group 50 years and above. Given their asymptomatic nature, late onset of symptoms, and lack of effective screening facilities, ovarian cancers are known as the “silent killer”. Hence, histopathological examination plays a prime role in diagnosis and for primary optimum treatment management. Tumor markers such as AFP, LDH, and beta hCG serve as supplementary tools in the initial diagnostic process, monitoring treatment response, and post-treatment surveillance. Proactive measures targeting diverse risk factors are essential for effective prevention and treatment strategies. This case series underscores the critical importance of timely diagnosis of ovarian tumors, particularly in young females. Heightened vigilance is warranted given the potential for diverse presentations, therefore precise categorization into specific histological types is crucial for clinicians to devise timely management strategies for affected patients.