Rhabdomyosarcoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma with contralateral serous carcinoma: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Malignant transformation of a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary is rare, and occurs in approximately 2% of all cases. The most common malignancy arising in mature cystic teratoma is squamous cell carcinoma. Sarcomas very rarely develop in mature cystic teratoma. We describe the case of a 65-year-old patient with mature cystic teratoma, and with rhabdomyosarcomatous transformation and contralateral serous carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a pure rhabdomyosarcoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma. The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical findings of this exceptional case are reported and the literature is reviewed.