Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary

Abstract

One hundred and twenty one cases of ovarian malignancy were reviewed over a period of 13 years from 1968 to 1980. Of these, 5 cases (4. 1%) were classified as clear cell carcinoma. In 1981 one additional case of clear cell carcinoma was uncovered. The mean age of the 6 patients was 58 years, with a range from 46 to 75 years. Presenting symptoms were abdominal pain or mass and/or distention. One case was associated with salpingeal endometriosis and ovarian endometriosis with transition to clear cell carcinoma. The striking features were clear cells (6 cases) and hobinail cells (4 cases), but papillary structure (4 cases) and parvilocular cystoma-like area 0 case) were also noted. Patients with solid tumor and in advanced stage seemed to have a worse prognosis than those with partly cystic and partly solid tumor and in less advanced stage. Histogenesis of clear cell carcinoma was studied and discussed in detail: origin from the ovarian surface epithelium seems to be the most frequent tissue of origin but rarely the tumor originate from epithelium of endometriostic cyst.