Ovarian fibrothecal tumors. Apropos of 12 cases

To identify diagnosis, therapeutic and histological particularities of ovarian fibro-thecomas. A retrospective study of 12 patients who underwent surgical treatment for ovarian fibro-thecoma between January 1994 and December 1999 was reported. Clinical, ultRasonographic, tumour marker, therapeutic and histologic data were analysed. Mean age of patients was 46.83 years. Three patients were in perimenopausal period and six were menopausal. Ultrasonographic findings were: ovarian echogenic tumor in six cases, hypoechogenic tumor in three cases, mixed tumor in three cases and anechogenic tumour in one case. CA 125 level measured in 11 cases was normal. Nine patients underwent laparotomy. Three patients underwent laparoscopy, however, one was converted to laparotomy due to a suspected tumour. A conservative treatment was performed for three patients and radical treatment for nine patients. Histological findings were eight fibromas and five fibro-thecomas. Ovarian fibro-thecoma is uncommon. These lesions occur often in perimenopausal and menopausal patients. Clinical, ultrasonographic and tumour marker data remains the best preoperative approach currently available for ovarian tumours. However, the diagnosis remains histological. Tumorectomy is well indicated for young patients, however radical treatment is indicated for perimenopausal and menopausal patients.