Evaluation of Patients with Adnexal Masses in the Middle and Late Adolescent Age Group in a Tertiary Care Center

Objectives: Although adnexal masses are an essential reason for gynecological surgeries in adolescents, early diagnosis and treatment are essential for preserving fertility.This study aimed to analyze the clinical features, treatment management, and histopathological results of patients with adnexal masses in a tertiary care center in the middle and late adolescent age group. Materials and Methods:Adolescent patients with adnexal masses were evaluated retrospectively between January 2015 and December 2019.Patients were classified as middle (15-17 years) and late (18-21 years) adolescents.Patients' complaints, diagnoses, mass diameters and locations, treatment methods, surgery characteristics, and histopathological results were compared.Results: A total of 141 patients in the middle adolescence (n=20) and late adolescence groups (n=121) were included in the study.Abdominal pain (70.9%), abdominal distension (11.3%), and menstrual disorders (7.1%) were the most common symptoms in the entire population.It was determined that 51.9% of the masses were benign neoplastic tumors, and 1.9% were malignant tumors.Surgery was not considered in 24.8% of the patients.Of the operated adolescents, 65% underwent laparoscopy, and 95.3% (n=101) underwent ovarian-preserving surgery.The most common histopathological diagnoses were benign serous cysts (18.9%), mature cystic teratoma (18.9%), and hemorrhagic cysts (17%).The laparoscopic surgery rate was significantly higher in the late adolescent group (p=0.024).The operated patients' average mass size was significantly higher (p<0.001). Conclusion:The malignancy rate is low in patients with early and late adolescent adnexal masses.In the management of these patients, minimally invasive methods and ovarian protective interventions are essential in preserving fertility.