Immunotherapy in young adults with mature cystic ovarian Teratoma-Derived squamous cell carcinoma: a case series

Abstract Background Mature cystic teratomas (MCTs), also known as dermoid cysts, are common benign germ cell tumors. These predominantly benign tumors can become malignant, particularly in postmenopausal women; the overall transformation rate of MCTs is 1-2%, accounting for approximately 80% squamou...

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Main Authors: Jing Luo, Yu-xia Gao, Qian He, Wen-xiang Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Ovarian Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-025-01681-8
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author Jing Luo
Yu-xia Gao
Qian He
Wen-xiang Wang
author_facet Jing Luo
Yu-xia Gao
Qian He
Wen-xiang Wang
author_sort Jing Luo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Mature cystic teratomas (MCTs), also known as dermoid cysts, are common benign germ cell tumors. These predominantly benign tumors can become malignant, particularly in postmenopausal women; the overall transformation rate of MCTs is 1-2%, accounting for approximately 80% squamous cell carcinoma of cases. Malignant transformation remains exceptionally rare in young adults. Case presentation Herein, we report two cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising from MCTs in a 25-year-old patient, staged FIGO 2018 IIIA1 and IC2 according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018 classification. The results of histopathological examination confirmed squamous cell carcinoma arising from the teratomas. Immunohistochemical staining revealed programmed death-ligand 1 expression. Both patients underwent fertility-sparing surgeries and subsequently received adjuvant chemotherapy in combination with programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) inhibitor immunotherapy. A complete clinical response was ultimately achieved. Patients 1 and 2 were monitored for 29 and 20 months after operation, respectively. A complete response was maintained in Patients1 and 2 for 14 and 16 months, respectively, as of the last follow-up. Conclusion Squamous cell carcinoma arising from MCTs is exceedingly rare in young adults and exhibits nonspecific clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics, hindering preoperative diagnosis. These tumors display highly aggressive biological behavior and are typically associated with a poor prognosis and a high postoperative recurrence rate. Immunotherapy intervention at diverse different time points for patients at different stages can increase their survival period.
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spelling doaj-art-41dcb534e6d84e80a5e77ba8ebbf217e2025-08-20T02:25:13ZengBMCJournal of Ovarian Research1757-22152025-05-011811610.1186/s13048-025-01681-8Immunotherapy in young adults with mature cystic ovarian Teratoma-Derived squamous cell carcinoma: a case seriesJing Luo0Yu-xia Gao1Qian He2Wen-xiang Wang3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical CollegeDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical CollegeDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical CollegeDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xinxiang Central Hospital, The Fourth Clinical College of Xinxiang Medical CollegeAbstract Background Mature cystic teratomas (MCTs), also known as dermoid cysts, are common benign germ cell tumors. These predominantly benign tumors can become malignant, particularly in postmenopausal women; the overall transformation rate of MCTs is 1-2%, accounting for approximately 80% squamous cell carcinoma of cases. Malignant transformation remains exceptionally rare in young adults. Case presentation Herein, we report two cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising from MCTs in a 25-year-old patient, staged FIGO 2018 IIIA1 and IC2 according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018 classification. The results of histopathological examination confirmed squamous cell carcinoma arising from the teratomas. Immunohistochemical staining revealed programmed death-ligand 1 expression. Both patients underwent fertility-sparing surgeries and subsequently received adjuvant chemotherapy in combination with programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) inhibitor immunotherapy. A complete clinical response was ultimately achieved. Patients 1 and 2 were monitored for 29 and 20 months after operation, respectively. A complete response was maintained in Patients1 and 2 for 14 and 16 months, respectively, as of the last follow-up. Conclusion Squamous cell carcinoma arising from MCTs is exceedingly rare in young adults and exhibits nonspecific clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics, hindering preoperative diagnosis. These tumors display highly aggressive biological behavior and are typically associated with a poor prognosis and a high postoperative recurrence rate. Immunotherapy intervention at diverse different time points for patients at different stages can increase their survival period.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-025-01681-8Malignant transformation of mature teratomasSquamous cell carcinogenesisOperationChemotherapyImmunotherapy
spellingShingle Jing Luo
Yu-xia Gao
Qian He
Wen-xiang Wang
Immunotherapy in young adults with mature cystic ovarian Teratoma-Derived squamous cell carcinoma: a case series
Journal of Ovarian Research
Malignant transformation of mature teratomas
Squamous cell carcinogenesis
Operation
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
title Immunotherapy in young adults with mature cystic ovarian Teratoma-Derived squamous cell carcinoma: a case series
title_full Immunotherapy in young adults with mature cystic ovarian Teratoma-Derived squamous cell carcinoma: a case series
title_fullStr Immunotherapy in young adults with mature cystic ovarian Teratoma-Derived squamous cell carcinoma: a case series
title_full_unstemmed Immunotherapy in young adults with mature cystic ovarian Teratoma-Derived squamous cell carcinoma: a case series
title_short Immunotherapy in young adults with mature cystic ovarian Teratoma-Derived squamous cell carcinoma: a case series
title_sort immunotherapy in young adults with mature cystic ovarian teratoma derived squamous cell carcinoma a case series
topic Malignant transformation of mature teratomas
Squamous cell carcinogenesis
Operation
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-025-01681-8
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AT yuxiagao immunotherapyinyoungadultswithmaturecysticovarianteratomaderivedsquamouscellcarcinomaacaseseries
AT qianhe immunotherapyinyoungadultswithmaturecysticovarianteratomaderivedsquamouscellcarcinomaacaseseries
AT wenxiangwang immunotherapyinyoungadultswithmaturecysticovarianteratomaderivedsquamouscellcarcinomaacaseseries