Morphological characteristics of different types of cystic teratoma of the ovary. A study of surface ultrastructure in relation to tumor classification and development.

In this study the surface ultrastructure of 28 cystic ovarian teratomas was examined to determine their morphological appearance and the relation to biological behavior. The squamous epithelium of cystic tumors showed abnormal maturation and keratinization of surface cells with keratinous flakes occasionally in polypoid configurations. The respiratory epithelium showed an abundance of microvillous and ciliated cells, areas with disorganized surface structures were also seen. Piling up of squamous cells in heaps, piles, cauliflower- or onion-like arrangements were seen in lesions histologically regular. This study showed a distinct difference in surface ultrastructure as compared to ovarian cystadenomas emphasizing the difference in development. Surface ultrastructural studies also were useful in deciding the nature of histologically indeterminable lesions as well as in revealing areas of malignant potential.