Introduction

The distribution of histology, staging and surgical approach to pediatric ovarian tumors differs significantly from that in adults. Ovarian masses are not infrequently encountered in children. Differentiating benign from malignant masses in this heterogeneous group of tumors can be challenging, but making the distinction is critical to provide appropriate surgical treatment, assure accurate staging and preserve fertility in a group of patients whose lesions are largely expected to be benign. Given the role that pediatric surgeons play in the multidisciplinary evaluation, diagnosis, and management of abdominal masses in children, it is incumbent upon pediatric surgeons to understand and follow appropriate preoperative pathways, intraoperative staging, and postoperative treatment and surveillance algorithms when encountering an ovarian mass.

The optimal care of pediatric patients with ovarian tumors requires early recognition of the diagnosis and a thorough knowledge of the treatment priorities based on the risk of malignancy. Complete staging for malignant histology and an overall bias to preserve fertility for benign entities should guide the surgical care.

see also Germ Cell Ovarian Tumors, Sex Cord-Stromal Ovarian Tumors and Epithelial Ovarian Tumors.

Content in these topics is referenced in SCORE Ovarian and Adnexal Problems overview