Seromucinous ovarian tumor A comparison with the rest of ovarian epithelial tumors.
BACKGROUND
Seromucinous ovarian tumors are rare and not adequately described in the literature and this is especially true for seromucinous carcinomas.


OBJECTIVE
To describe histological and clinical features of these tumors in comparison with the rest of ovarian epithelial tumors.


METHODS
Two hundred and forty one (241) ovarian tumors, borderline (n=92) or malignant (n=149), treated surgically without neoadjuvant chemotherapy, were examined.


RESULTS
Seromucinous borderline (SMBT) and malignant tumors (SMC) comprised 7.8% (n=7) and 4% (n=6) of all borderline tumors and carcinomas, respectively, studied. Mean age of diagnosis was 63.2 and 68.3years and mean size was 6.4cm and 12cm for SMBT and SMC, respectively. Seromucinous tumors were associated with endometriosis in 23.1% of the cases and they were bilateral in 30.8%. Microscopically, variety in cellular composition, papillary architecture and development into thick walled, occasionally muscular, cysts were the main findings. Medullary/paraovarian/tubal or deeply cortical localization was also characteristic. Stage predicted overall and progression-free survival (p<0.0001 and p=0.03, respectively). Five-year survival was 62% for patients with high grade serous carcinoma, 55% for seromucinous carcinoma, 100% for endometrioid carcinoma, 75% for clear cell carcinoma, and 80% for patients with mucinous carcinoma. Differences were not however statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Seromucinous tumors have unique features that support their classification as a different entity. Their localization and their often thick fibrous or/and muscular wall provides further evidence for an histogenesis from the secondary Müllerian system or vestigial structures.
Department of Pathology, North Hospital, University Hospital of St-Etienne, France. Electronic address: gakarpath@yahoo.gr.
Georgia
G
Karpathiou
Department of Gynecology and Obstretics, North Hospital, University Hospital of St-Etienne, France.
Celine
C
Chauleur
Department of Gynecology and Obstretics, North Hospital, University Hospital of St-Etienne, France.
Thomas
T
Corsini
Department of Pathology, North Hospital, University Hospital of St-Etienne, France.
Melany
M
Venet
Department of Pathology, North Hospital, University Hospital of St-Etienne, France.
Cyril
C
Habougit
Department of Pathology, North Hospital, University Hospital of St-Etienne, France.
Freschia
F
Honeyman
Department of Pathology, North Hospital, University Hospital of St-Etienne, France.
Fabien
F
Forest
Department of Pathology, North Hospital, University Hospital of St-Etienne, France.
Michel
M
Peoc'h
D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018269:Carcinoma, Endometrioid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*
Endocervical type mucinous tumor; Mesonephric remnants; Paramesonephric; Paraovarian; Secondary Müllerian System