Squamous cell carcinoma in mature cystic teratoma of the ovary induced by human papillomavirus 16 infection: A case report and literature review

Mature cystic teratoma is the most common ovarian germ cell tumor. The malignant transformation of ovarian mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is very rare, but the prognosis is poor. We present a case of ovarian mature cystic teratoma with human papillomavirus infection and malignant transformation into ovarian squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The occurrence of this case may prove that high-risk human papillomavirus infection is a pathogenic factor inducing malignant transformation of mature cystic teratoma to SCC. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 38-year-old woman with a solid cystic mass of 8 cm on the right ovary, and human papillomavirus (HPV) test of her cervix showed HPV-16 infection. DIAGNOSIS: The transvaginal ultrasound was performed, and there was a cystic solid mass of 5.9 × 4.5 × 5.5 cm in the right adnexal area with unclear cystic fluid and rich blood flow signals in the capsule wall. HPV test of cervix showed HPV-16 infection. Diagnostic suspicion: cystic teratoma. INTERVENTION: The patient signed an laparoendoscopic surgery was performed to remove the right ovarian mass. Intraoperative pathology consultation revealed the malignant transformation of mature teratoma of the right ovary and the formation of squamous or adeno-SCC. We performed laparoscopic comprehensive surgical staging (hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, appendectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection) were made. OUTCOMES: The operation was successful and the postoperative recovery was smooth, was discharged 7 days after operation. Now the patient is recovering well and is continuing chemotherapy as planned. CONCLUSION: HR-HPV infection might be a causal factor for inducing malignant transformation of ovarian MCT to SCC, and the Jumping metastasis of lymph nodes may be the characteristic of SCC-MCT, but further verification is still needed.