Mature cystic ovarian teratoma with squamous cell carcinoma transformation: a case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVES: Cancerous transformation in mature cystic ovarian teratoma is rare. Herein, we reported a case of squamous cell carcinoma transformation in mature cystic ovarian teratoma and performed an in-depth literature review to highlight the risk factors, prognosis, and suggested treatment for these patients. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 66-years old postmenopausal woman diagnosed with a 120×90 (mm) mass at the left adnexa compatible with mature cystic ovarian teratoma. Following resection, the histopathological investigations showed malignant transformation in her mature cystic ovarian teratoma, and the immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 and tumor protein 63 (P63) indicated squamous cell carcinoma transformation. She has been observed for her stage IA tumor and has been cancer-free for 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although malignant transformation in mature cystic ovarian teratoma is rare, it should be suspected if certain risk factors, e.g., elderly and high tumor size, exist. Stage IA patients' prognosis is favorable, and chemotherapy is not recommended.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in lymphoma in north-west of iran.

BACKGROUND: Lymphomas are a group of malignancies affecting B, T and NK cells. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme is one of the known inflammatory factors which increase during the inflammation process. Increase in COX-2 expression inhibits apoptosis and increases tumor cells invasion and angiogenesis. Increase in the COX-2 gene expression is seen in a group of cancers. Specific COX-2 inhibition also can be beneficial in some cancers through apoptosis stimulation. MATERIALS & METHODS: In this descriptive-analytic study, the degree of COX-2 expression was evaluated in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The following variables were used in this study: gender, age, lymphoma type, the stage of disease, the degree of disease, the existence of B symptom, extranodal involvement, response to treatment, death and LDH levels. Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 153 cases of non-Hodgkin' and Hodgkin' lymphoma were selected for immunohistochemical staining of COX-2 expression. RESULTS: COX-2 level was reported positive in 4 (4.7%) patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 4 (5.7%) with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Fifteen patients experienced relapses and 9 died during the median follow-up of 7 years. There was no significant relationship between quantitative and qualitative variables and COX-2 expression. Also, there was no relationship between COX-2 and type of lymphoma (P=0.476). CONCLUSION: According to our results, no relationship between COX-2 expression and type of lymphoma was found. We recommend more patient involvement to assess COX-2 expression. Apparently, it seems that the patient's race (Azari) may have an impact on the results of this study.