Advanced Mucinous Adenocarcinoma Arising from a Mature Cystic Teratoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

PURPOSE: To describe the postoperative progressive course of advanced-stage adenocarcinoma arising from a mature cystic teratoma (MCT) and review the literature regarding this disease. METHODS: A 59-year-old woman visited our hospital with an abdominal mass. Laparotomy showed enlargement of the left ovary and dissemination throughout the abdominal and pelvic cavities. The diagnosis was FIGO stage IIIB adenocarcinoma arising from a MCT. We report this case in detail with a review of the literature. RESULTS: A literature search yielded 9 cases of stage III adenocarcinoma with malignant transformation. Six of these 9 patients died within 12 months after diagnosis. Of the 8 patients who underwent postoperative chemotherapy, 3 survived for over 39 months. The review indicates that prognosis of adenocarcinoma is as poor as that for squamous cell carcinoma arising from a MCT. CONCLUSIONS: In general, as with this case, prognosis of advanced adenocarcinoma associated with a MCT is poor. However, we should be aware that not all patients are resistant to chemotherapy.