Struma ovarii (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aravind Reddy Kothagadi M.B.B.S[2]

Struma ovarii is a variant of dermoid tumors of the ovary in which thyroid tissue constitutes as the major component.

Clinical symptoms may manifest in struma ovarii as: ^[1]

• Lower abdominal pain
• Palpable lower abdominal mass
• Pelvic pressure related to a pelvic mass
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Ascites
• Hydrothorax
• Elevated thyroid function
• Rarely thyroid tumors

The cause of Struma ovarii has not been identified.

Women with in the older age group (between 40 – 60 years) and who are in postmenopausal status with elevated CA-125 levels or large tumor masses may be at higher risk.

The most common presenting symptoma are pelvic pain, abdominal distension followed by abnormal vaginal bleeding. Struma ovarii is confirmed by histopathological studies.

If the patient feels palpable lower abdominal mass on self palpation and experiences pelvic pressure related to a pelvic mass along with lower abdominal pain and abnormal vaginal bleeding, the patient should visit the physician to rule out the possible causes.

Treatment for Struma ovarii is surgical therapy. Adjuvant treatment modalities such as radioiodine therapy and external beam radiation are recommended.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000434.htm

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