Ovarian tumors among Nigerian females: A private practice experience in Benin-City, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Ovarian tumors ranked high among gynecological tumor globally. Reports have it that ovarian tumors cut across all age groups, but more common in adult females. Currently, ovarian cancer is the 4(th) most common cancer in terms of incidence and mortality patterns in women globally. To highlight the frequency and histological types of ovarian tumors in a private practice establishment in Benin-City, Southern Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hematoxylin and eosin stained-slides of ovarian biopsies diagnosed at the Ashamas Foundation Diagnostic Centre, Benin-City for 10 years were archived and studied. Request forms were analyzed for clinical bio-data, diagnosis and nature of biopsies. Ovarian tumors were classified according to the World Health Organization manual series. RESULTS: A total of 236 of all ovarian lesions were encountered in this study. Of these, 200 (84.7%) were benign lesions while malignant lesions accounted for 36 (15.3%). Of this, 200 benign lesions 79 accounting for (39.5%) were a benign neoplastic tumor. The ratio of benign to malignant tumors was 5.6:1.0. The mean age of benign neoplastic tumor was 31.6 years ± 10.4 standard deviation (SD). Out of the 79 benign neoplastic tumors; germ cell tumors was the most common accounting for 49 (62%). The mean age of the 36 malignant ovarian tumors was 40.1 years ± 16.2 SD with the majority as malignant surface epithelial tumors accounting for (n = 16; 44.4%). The malignant germ cell tumor was the most common constituting 10 (27.7%). CONCLUSION: Germ cell tumor was the most common with the majority occurring in reproductive age. Our finding is a reversal of what obtains in the western countries where surface epithelial tumor was the most common with the majority occurring in elderly females.