# Unexpected Malignancy: Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising in an Ovarian Mature Cystic Teratoma Diagnosed Postoperatively

## TL;DR

A rare case of squamous cell carcinoma developing in a benign ovarian tumor highlights the difficulty in diagnosing this condition before surgery.

## Contribution

The paper presents a case report emphasizing the diagnostic challenge of malignant transformation in ovarian mature cystic teratomas.

## Key findings

- Preoperative imaging often misidentifies malignant transformation in ovarian teratomas as benign.
- Histopathological evaluation is necessary to confirm the presence of squamous cell carcinoma in such cases.

## Abstract

Although mature cystic teratomas (MCTs) of the ovary are typically benign, their rare malignant transformation (MT) into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Preoperative imaging frequently misleads clinicians by suggesting a benign lesion, and the malignant component is usually identified only after histopathological evaluation. Reporting such cases is valuable to raise awareness of this unusual entity and to emphasize the need for vigilance in the management of ovarian teratomas, particularly in women beyond reproductive age. We report the case of a 65-year-old woman in whom imaging suggested a benign teratoma, but histology revealed SCC, underlining the diagnostic challenge and the importance of awareness of this rare but clinically significant transformation.