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A subset of ovarian mucinous tumors demonstrates müllerian-type epithelium, with such lesions variably designated "endocervical-like" and seromucinous since their popularization based on a report of borderline examples in 1989. While müllerian mucinous borderline tumors and carcinomas have been highlighted in the literature, there has been minimal attention given to benign müllerian mucinous tumors, particularly müllerian mucinous cystadenomas. Given the paucity of literature describing the features of müllerian mucinous cystadenomas/cystadenofibromas, diagnostic difficulties may arise when papillary features are present and in cases that show a subtle transition from endometriosis. We thus reviewed 25 cases of müllerian mucinous cystadenoma/cystadenofibroma to highlight the notable characteristics of this entity, including gross, cytologic, and architectural features that aid in the distinction from müllerian mucinous borderline tumors as well as, rarely, metastatic tumors. The patients ranged in age from 26 to 85 yr old. Bilateral ovarian involvement was frequent (40%). The ovaries ranged from 2.3 to 26 cm in greatest dimension. Most were multicystic (18 cases) and contained tenacious mucoid material (14 cases). All cases demonstrated predominantly columnar mucinous epithelium with abundant pale-pink cytoplasm. A minor component of ciliated and endometrioid epithelium was seen in 15 and 2 cases, respectively. Broad papillary formations were frequently encountered (9 cases) as was epithelial papillary tufting comprising <10% of the tumor (6 cases). Endometriosis was present in 9 cases, with a transition from endometriosis to mucinous epithelium noted in 8 cases. This series highlights the morphologic features of a relatively uncommon, benign, endometriosis-associated ovarian tumor that may be confused with a müllerian mucinous borderline tumor or bland metastatic mucinous tumors. It also provides an argument for the terminology "müllerian mucinous cystadenoma" or "cystadenofibroma" rather than "seromucinous cystadenoma" due to the frequent association with endometriosis as well as the dominant mucinous epithelium., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 by the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists.)

Rationale: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are one of the most common and effective methods of contraception worldwide. Migration of an IUD to an extrauterine site is a rare complication. The aim of this study was to report an extremely rare case in which an IUD was found in an ovarian tumor., Patient Concerns: A 63-year-old Chinese woman presented with vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain during hospitalization due to pneumonia. Preoperative imaging showed bilateral cystic masses in the adnexal region, and ring hyperdensity was found in the right ovarian mass. Endometrial thickening and multiple uterine leiomyomas were found on ultrasonography. Hysteroscopy showed partial septate uterus and a small endometrial polyp., Diagnosis: Bilateral ovarian cystadenomas with perforation of the IUD into the right ovarian tumor were considered based on preoperative imaging and the patient's medical history. Furthermore, early endometrial carcinoma was suspected., Interventions: The patient underwent hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and omentectomy. A stainless steel ring IUD was confirmed within the right ovarian tumor during the operation., Outcomes: The pathology results demonstrated bilateral ovarian serous cystadenofibromas with focal epithelial proliferation and endometrial atypical hyperplasia with malignant transformation. The patient has been followed up for 7 months, and there has been no recurrence at present., Lessons: The presence of an IUD within an ovarian tumor is extremely rare. This is the second reported case in the English literature describing an extrauterine IUD within an ovarian tumor. The correlation between ovarian cancer tumorigenesis and IUD translocation is unclear and requires further investigation.

Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is being described in different types of tumors and in increasing amount of cases. Being aware of this phenomenon is important, as it affects disease stage and treatment approach. In this report, we descried an incidental histopathologic finding of metastatic adenocarcinoma to an ovarian cystadenofibroma and review cases published previously in the literature.

Objective: To describe the clinical and ultrasound characteristics of serous cystadenofibromas in the adnexa., Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients identified in the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) database, who had a histological diagnosis of serous cystadenofibroma and had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination by an experienced ultrasound examiner, between 1999 and 2012. In the IOTA database, which contains data collected prospectively, the tumors were described using the terms and definitions of the IOTA group. In addition, three authors reviewed, first independently and then together, ultrasound images of serous cystadenofibromas and described them using pattern recognition., Results: We identified 233 women with a histological diagnosis of serous cystadenofibroma. In the IOTA database, most cystadenofibromas (67.4%; 157/233) were described as containing solid components but 19.3% (45/233) were described as multilocular cysts and 13.3% (31/233) as unilocular cysts. Papillary projections were described in 52.4% (122/233) of the cystadenofibromas. In 79.5% (97/122) of the cysts with papillary projections, color Doppler signals were absent in the papillary projections. Most cystadenofibromas (83.7%; 195/233) manifested no or minimal color Doppler signals. On retrospective analysis of 201 ultrasound images of serous cystadenofibromas, using pattern recognition, 10 major types of ultrasound appearance were identified. The most common pattern was a unilocular solid cyst with one or more papillary projections, but no other solid components (25.9%; 52/201). The second most common pattern was a multilocular solid mass with small solid component(s), but no papillary projections (19.4%; 39/201). The third and fourth most common patterns were multi- or bilocular cyst (16.9%; 34/201) and unilocular cyst (11.9%; 24/201). Using pattern recognition, shadowing was identified in 39.8% (80/201) of the tumors, and microcystic appearance of the papillary projections was observed in 34 (38.6%) of the 88 tumors containing papillary projections., Conclusions: The ultrasound features of serous cystadenofibromas vary. The most common pattern is a unilocular solid cyst with one or more papillary projections but no other solid components, with absent color Doppler signals. Most serous cystadenofibromas were poorly vascularized on color Doppler examination and many manifested acoustic shadowing. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd., (Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify and assess the factors associated with concurrent carcinoma and recurrence in women with epithelial borderline ovarian tumors., Methods: The cancer and pathology databases at a tertiary care academic cancer center were queried for all borderline ovarian tumors from 2005 to 2015. Cases with/without concurrent ovarian carcinoma and with/without recurrence were compared., Results: A total of 123 women with borderline tumors were identified (mean age 51.3 years). Concurrent carcinoma was present in 31 (25.2%). Women with concurrent carcinoma were significantly more likely to be peri- or postmenopausal, have an elevated CA-125, and have a nonserous histology. Seven (5.7%) women's cancer recurred at a mean of 23.5 months (mean follow-up 30.0 months). Women with recurrence were more likely to be nonwhite, have concurrent invasive carcinoma, and have had residual disease at the time of surgery., Conclusions: Epithelial borderline ovarian tumors often co-exist with carcinoma and occur more frequently in postmenopausal women, in women with elevated CA-125, and in tumors with nonserous histology. The presence of any of these factors should alert clinicians to the potential need for comprehensive staging at the time of surgery. The recurrence of borderline tumors is associated with nonwhite race, concurrent carcinoma, and residual disease at initial surgery.

Introduction: Ovarian borderline tumors (OBT) are tumors with an intermediate grade of malignancy whose diagnosis is purely based on morphological criteria. They usually occur in young women (under 40 years) and are characterized by a cellular proliferation with slight nuclear atypia and lacking stromal invasion with a destructive pattern. Aim of this study was to explore the immunohistochemical expression of Ki67 proliferative index in OBT and to correlate it with known clinicopathologic prognostic factors in patients older than 40 years., Material and Methods: Twenty cases of OBTdiagnosed in the period ranging from 2016 to 2018 were retrieved. Each specimen was taken from hysterectomy or adnexectomy surgery. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on the most representative sample of the tumor. Positive signal was nuclear and it was evaluated by three independent pathologists., Results: Ki67 Labelling Index (L.I.) value ranged from 2% to 40%, with an average value of 14% and a median of 10%. Higher Ki67 L.I. was observed in patients older than 40 years (pvalue = 0.0194) and in those with tumors with a maximum diameter ≥ 10 cm (pvalue = 0.0547). Furthermore, a direct correlation was evident between tumor size value and Ki67 L.I. (p value<0.0001, r = 0.7745). Hitherto no known prognostic factor correlated with high Ki67 L.I., Conclusions: Overall, OBT are tumors with greater risk of evolution at a more advanced age and when they are greater in size. The assessment of Ki67 could be a valid support in the diagnosis of a more aggressive tumor. Further studies are needed to assess possible correlation with data concerning recurrences rate, that in our cases were not available., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Cystadenofibromas (CAFs) are rare benign ovarian tumors without a widely accepted ultrasound (US) pattern. They are usually described by as thin-walled, unilocular or multilocular, and at times septated cysts with scant blood flow and no solid components. We describe a unique US feature, the "shadow sign," seen in prospectively diagnosed benign CAFs. We also provide the histopathologic basis for this typical US appearance., Methods: Ultrasound (US) examinations were performed in our obstetric and gynecologic US unit. Pathologic examinations were performed by a dedicated gynecologic pathology team. The US and pathology department's database was searched for the diagnosis of a CAF between 2010 and 2017., Results: We identified 20 patients who underwent transvaginal US examinations with a sole US diagnosis of a CAF, and the tumors were surgically removed. The common US feature across the 20 cases was the presence of hyperechoic avascular shadowing nodules. The correlating histologic features were unilocular or multilocular cysts with a smooth internal wall surface lined by a simple epithelium and occasional robust polypoid fibrous stroma., Conclusions: This US marker helps in differentiating CAFs from borderline ovarian tumors, which do not show this US feature. We hope that recognizing the suggested shadow sign as an additional descriptor of CAFs will lead to minimizing their unnecessary removal and eliminating additional and unnecessary imaging by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging., (© 2019 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)

B7-H4, a tumor-associated cell surface protein, is expressed in endometrioid (EM), serous (SE), and clear cell (CC) ovarian carcinomas. Prior in vitro studies from other groups indicated that elevated B7-H4 expression by tumor cells blocks T-cell activation; therefore, it had been postulated to play a role in shielding cancer cells from immune surveillance and averting apoptotic programs. To test the validity of these hypotheses, the present study was designed to compare the immunohistochemical staining intensity of B7-H4 in tumor cells of ovarian cancers with the number of tumor-infiltrating T cells and macrophages and with the levels of caspase-3 staining in apoptotic debris. Serial tissue sections from EM, SE, and CC carcinomas were analyzed across representative cross-sections of tumor resection specimens, demonstrating different levels of B7-H4 expression, highest in CC cancers. B7-H4 staining in CC tissue sections was significantly correlated with the number of CD3, CD4, and CD8 tumor-infiltrating T cells and with the number of CD14 tumor-infiltrating macrophages, but was not significantly related to caspase-3 staining. These results support the concept that high levels of B7-H4 expression are inversely correlated with tumor T-cell infiltration and with CD14-labeled macrophages but not caspase-3 expression in CC carcinomas. We did not, however, find clear evidence of a relationship between the lower levels of B7-H4 seen in EM and SE carcinomas and T cell or macrophage infiltration. Thus, high levels of B7-H4, as seen in CC carcinomas, is associated with decreased tumor infiltration by T cells and macrophages but the lower levels of expression, as observed in EM and SE carcinomas, appear less likely to play an effective role in protection from immune surveillance. Furthermore, we found no evidence of a correlation between B7-H4 expression and apoptosis. These findings highlight the importance of further investigation of B7-H4 as an immunomodulatory protein, to support the development of novel therapeutic interventions for improved efficacy of treatments for CC carcinoma.

Context: Ovarian hyperandrogenism from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hyperinsulinemia from insulin resistance are modulators of ovarian follicle development. We report on a woman with PCOS and hyperandrogenism and severe insulin resistance from metabolic syndrome who received long-term GnRH analogue therapy preceding bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for massive ovarian enlargement. Ovarian histological examination showed proliferating granulosa cells within antral follicles coexistent with serous cystadenofibromas, demonstrating a unique link between hyperinsulinemia and granulosa cell mitogenesis., Case Description: A 30-year-old woman with PCOS with hyperandrogenism, severe insulin resistance from metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis experienced abdominal pain from bilaterally enlarged ovaries. She had previously experienced a pulmonary embolism while taking oral contraceptives and hepatotoxicity from metformin and spironolactone therapies. Long-term GnRH analogue therapy to induce pituitary desensitization to GnRH successfully decreased gonadotropin-dependent steroidogenesis without improving insulin resistance. Despite GnRH analogue therapy, progressive ovarian enlargement in the presence of hyperinsulinemia from worsening metabolic function eventually required bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for removal of massively enlarged ovaries. Histological examination showed both ovaries contained proliferating granulosa cells within antral follicles coexistent with serous cystadenofibromas., Conclusions: In women with PCOS and hyperinsulinemia from severe insulin resistance due to metabolic syndrome, granulosa cell proliferation within antral follicles can occur despite long-term GnRH analogue therapy, implicating hyperinsulinemia as a granulosa cell mitogen in the absence of gonadotropin-dependent ovarian function., (Copyright © 2019 Endocrine Society.)

Serous cystadenofibromas are uncommon benign ovarian lesions, consisting of both fibrous and epithelial components, that are usually cystic but may contain solid or papillary architecture that can be confused with a malignancy on imaging. Papillary architecture seen on frozen section may also falsely steer the pathologist in the direction of a diagnosis of a borderline serous tumor. Overcalling the lesion may lead to more aggressive surgery than necessary, so extensive tissue sampling and consideration of this entity is important in possibly avoiding this mistake.

Aims: The most common BRAF mutation in ovarian low-grade serous neoplasms (LGSNs) involves substitution of valine by glutamic acid at position 600 (V600E). Small studies have demonstrated high specificity of immunohistochemistry with mutation-specific monoclonal antibody VE1. We sought to investigate the expression of VE1 protein in LGSNs and its correlation with BRAF mutation-associated histological features and BRAF mutation status., Methods and Results: We reviewed pathology reports and available slides from ovarian serous borderline tumours (SBTs) and low-grade serous carcinomas (LGSCs) diagnosed between 2000 and 2012. VE1 immunohistochemistry was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Tumours with ≥50% positive cells were considered positive. Of 121 LGSNs, there were 73 SBTs, eight SBTs with micropapillary features (mpSBT) and 40 LGSCs (22 primary, 18 metastatic). VE1 was positive in 52% (38 of 73) of SBTs and 9% (two of 22) of primary LGSCs, and in none of the mpSBTs and metastatic LGSCs (P < 0.0001). Of 76 tumours with known mutation status, 42 (55%) harboured mutations, including BRAF V 600E (26, 34%), KRAS G 12D (eight, 11%), and KRAS G 12V (eight, 11%). BRAF V 600E mutations were present in 48% (25 of 52) of SBTs and 5% (one of 22) of LGSCs (P < 0.0001). VE1 was positive in 96% (25 of 26) of BRAF V 600E -mutated tumours and correlated with BRAF mutation-associated histological features (P < 0.0001)., Conclusions: BRAF V 600E mutations are significantly more common in SBTs than in LGSCs. Immunohistochemical expression of VE1 protein is associated strongly with BRAF V 600E mutation and BRAF mutation-associated histological features. VE1 immunohistochemistry is a reliable method for the detection of BRAF V 600E mutations., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-receptor (NMDA-R) encephalitis is a novel disease discovered within the past 10 years. It is an autoimmune disease (AD) that has been associated with other ADs, such as Graves' disease. However, association with autoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS) has not been previously described. A 58-year-old woman presented with altered mental status and an 8-month history of weight loss, apathy and somnolence. Laboratory evaluation confirmed Graves' disease with thyrotoxicosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Despite treatment, she continued to have a fluctuating mental status. Further diagnostic evaluation included an abdominal MRI that showed a cystic lobular left adnexal mass. Serum anti-NMDA-R antibodies were positive, raising concern for NMDA-R encephalitis. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed, with pathology consistent with cystadenofibroma. She had a favourable recovery with marked clinical improvement. Anti-NMDA-R antibodies were negative 2 months following surgery. The concomitant occurrence of APS and anti-NMDA-R encephalitis suggests a shared mechanism of autoimmune pathophysiology., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)

Borderline tumors (BOT) of the ovary account for 10% to 20% of ovarian neoplasms. Like ovarian cancer, BOT encompass several different histological subtypes (serous, mucinous, endometrioid, clear cell, transitional cell and mixed) with serous (SBOT) and mucinous (MBOT) the most common. Current hypotheses suggest low-grade serous carcinoma may develop in a stepwise fashion from SBOT whereas the majority of high grade serous carcinomas develop rapidly presumably from inclusion cysts or ovarian surface epithelium. The pathogenesis of mucinous ovarian tumors is still puzzling. Molecular markers could help to better define relationships between such entities. Trefoil factor-3 (TFF3) is an estrogen-regulated gene associated with prognosis in different types of cancer. It has also been included in a recent marker panel predicting subtypes of ovarian carcinoma. We analyzed the expression of TFF3 by immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 137 BOT and its association with histopathological features. Overall expression rate of TFF3 was 21.9%. None of the BOT with serous and endometrioid histology displayed strong TFF3 expression. On the other hand, TFF3 was highly expressed in 61.4% of MBOT cases and 33.3% of BOT with mixed histology (P < 0.001) suggesting a potential function of the protein in that subtypes. Associations of TFF3 expression with FIGO stage and micropapillary pattern were significant in the overall cohort but confounded by their correlation with histological subtypes. The highly specific expression of TFF3 in MBOT may help to further clarify potential relationships of tumors with mucinous histology and warrants further studies.

Background: Tumor-directed circulating autoantibodies (AAb) are a well-established feature of many solid tumor types, and are often observed prior to clinical disease manifestation. As such, they may provide a good indicator of early disease development. We have conducted a pilot study to identify novel AAbs as markers of early-stage HGSOCs. Methods: A rare cohort of patients with early (FIGO stage Ia-c) HGSOCs for IgG, IgA, and IgM-mediated AAb reactivity using high-content protein arrays (containing 9,184 individual proteins). AAb reactivity against selected antigens was validated by ELISA in a second, independent cohort of individual patients. Results: A total of 184 antigens were differentially detected in early-stage HGSOC patients compared with all other patient groups assessed. Among the six most highly detected "early-stage" antigens, anti-IgA AAbs against HSF1 and anti-IgG AAbs CCDC155 (KASH5; nesprin 5) were significantly elevated in patients with early-stage malignancy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis suggested that AAbs against HSF1 provided better detection of early-stage malignancy than CA125 alone. Combined measurement of anti-HSF1, anti-CCDC155, and CA125 also improved efficacy at higher sensitivity. Conclusions: The combined measurement of anti-HSF1, anti-CCDC155, and CA125 may be useful for early-stage HGSOC detection. Impact: This is the first study to specifically identify AAbs associated with early-stage HGSOC. The presence and high frequency of specific AAbs in early-stage cancer patients warrants a larger scale examination to define their value for early disease detection at primary diagnosis and/or recurrence. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(2); 183-92. ©2017 AACR ., (©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the risk factors of recurrence and the value of nodal involvement in patients with serous borderline ovarian tumors (SBOT)., Methods: Two hundred twenty-five patients who underwent surgery and were diagnosed with SBOT were retrospectively studied. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the risk factors for recurrence. Patients' clinical pathologic characteristics were compared between the patients who presented lymph node involvement and those who did not. The significant values of lymph condition influencing 5-year disease-free survival were also evaluated by statistical analysis., Results: Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed that risk factors for recurrence were micropapillary (P = 0.021), fertility-preserving surgery (P = 0.014), and laparoscopic approach (P = 0.009). Of these 112 patients on whom lymphadenectomy was performed, 17 cases showed lymph node positive, whereas the remaining 95 patients did not. Significant differences in terms of lymph node numbers (P < 0.0001), invasive implant (P = 0.022), and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging (P < 0.0001) were observed between the 2 groups of lymphatic node involved or not. Kaplan-Meier curves of 5-year disease-free survival revealed that there were no significant differences either between groups of lymphatic node involved or not (P = 0.778) and groups of removed nodes whether more than 10 or not (P = 0.549)., Conclusions: Micropapillary, fertility-preserving, and laparoscopic approach were factors significantly affecting the recurrence of SBOT by both univariate and multivariate analysis. Lymph node metastasis did not seem to be correlated to a worse prognosis of SBOT.

Background: The expression of p53 has been studied not only in primary human ovarian carcinomas, but also in borderline ovarian tumors, however, the results were discordant. Expression patterns of proteins involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis have been investigated in various human neoplasms, including female genital tract neoplasms., Objective: The aim of this investigation was to assess the staining pattern and immunolocalization of p53 and selected proliferative markers (Ki-67, MCM3, PCNA, and topoisomerase IIα) in borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs)., Design: The study group consisted of 42 women who underwent pelvic surgery between 2006-2015. The median patients' age was 46 years. The immunoperoxidase technique was employed using antibodies against p53, Ki-67, MCM3, PCNA, and topoisomerase IIα., Results: For p53, nuclear expression was observed in BOTs, however, cytoplasmatic immunoreactivity was also detected. Altogether, 25 (60%) tumors demonstrated positive p53 immunostaining, including overexpression found in 6 (14%). There were no significant differences in p53 expression between subgroups of clinicopathological variables. Immunoexpression of Ki-67, MCM3, PCNA, and topoisomerase IIα was nuclear. Ki-67 expression was positive in 12 (29%) cases and there was a trend towards a relationship between patients' age and Ki-67 staining (P=0.08). Interestingly, a significantly higher Ki-67 expression was found in tumors of ≥10 cm in diameter compared to smaller tumors (P=0.008). MCM3 expression was detected in 38 (90%) tumors, and PCNA expression in 28 (67%), yet none of clinicopathological factors was related to them. Topoisomerase IIα expression was present in 14 (33%) cases and, interestingly, its significantly higher expression was observed in BOTs of ≥10 cm in diameter compared to smaller tumors (P=0.008). Moreover, Spearman's correlation revealed highly significant positive associations between Ki-67 and topoisomerase IIα (R=0.403, P=0.008) and Ki-67 and MCM3 (R=0.469, P=0.001)., Conclusions: We report a high positive immunostaining rate for p53, suggesting a role of TP53 alterations in the development of BOTs in humans. The new finding of higher topoisomerase IIα immunostaining positivity in BOTs of ≥10 cm may be clinically relevant and requires further studies on larger patient groups.

Microscopic, heterotopic extraovarian sex cord-stromal proliferations have only recently been reported in the literature. We describe the largest series to date, of 30 cases of microscopic, incidentally detected, heterotopic extraovarian sex cord-stromal proliferation, in women aged 25-79 yr who had undergone surgery for a range of benign and malignant gynecologic conditions. In 14 patients the foci of proliferation comprised ovarian cortical stroma, in some cases with an ovarian fibroma-like appearance. Ten cases of adenofibroma and cystadenofibroma were also identified, including 1 Brenner adenofibroma; 2 cases comprised both ovarian cortical stroma and serous cystadenofibroma; 4 cases showed sex cord proliferation resembling microscopic adult granulosa cell tumors. Immunohistochemistry, where possible, confirmed the sex cord nature of the heterotopic proliferations. The foci of proliferation were <1-7 mm, and most were at the fimbrial end of the fallopian tube. These proliferations are likely to be encountered with increasing frequency as we sample the adnexa more extensively. Previous reports postulated that the proliferations probably represent embryonic rests caused by anomalous migration but we suggest that incorporation of exposed ovarian parenchymal tissue into the fimbrial stroma at the time of ovulation may be another possible cause.

A 59-year-old woman with a remote history of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast was found on a follow-up computed tomography scan of her brain to have a 1-cm lesion in the right frontal lobe in 2008. In the ensuing years, before her current admission, multiple imaging studies of the brain revealed that the lesion was stable and it was, therefore, interpreted as a small area of encephalomalacia related to a thrombosed cortical vein, a cavernoma, or treated metastatic breast cancer. In 2013, the patient underwent a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for ovarian tumors that were diagnosed as bilateral serous cystadenofibromas. A partial omentectomy showed no evidence of implants. In June 2016, the brain lesion was completely excised and diagnosed as an atypical proliferative (borderline) serous tumor. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the tumor cells were immunoreactive for Pax8, WT-1, ER, and CK-7 and negative for Gata-3, PR, TTF-1, CDX-2, Napsin A, and CK-20, which was consistent with that diagnosis. We present a brief review of possible mechanisms to account for this unusual presentation and speculate that the most likely one is exfoliation of fallopian tube epithelial cells into the peritoneal cavity, which then gain access to lymphatics resulting in cells implanting in the brain and subsequently progressing to an atypical proliferative (borderline) serous tumor.

Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) have a low malignant potential and occur most often in young women. Its preoperative diagnosis can improve surgical strategy and reproductive approach. This study systematically reviews the literature for the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS), magnetic resonance (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) in the diagnostic of BOTs. We conducted a search in PubMed/Medline of articles in English from the last 5 years and included 14 studies for systematic review, 9 of them in the meta-analysis. The pooled sensibility and specificity was respectively 77.0% and 83.0% for TVUS (5 studies) and 85% and 74% for MRI (4 studies) in differentiating benign from malignant BOTs. CT and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT techniques were heterogeneous between studies, so a meta-analysis was not performed for the 4 studies on CT and PET-CT. However, these 4 studies have also shown a high accuracy in differentiating BOTs from malignant ovarian cancers., (Copyright © 2016 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Sertoli cell (SC) and sertoliform tumors of the testis are very uncommon; for this reason their differential diagnosis and classification can be challenging. We applied an extensive immunophenotypic panel that included androgenic hormones, enzymes and receptors, neuroendocrine, lineage and genitourinary markers to a series of these lesions to determine if and which immunostains can aid in their diagnostic workup. Study cases included: 2 androgen insensitivity syndrome-associated SC adenomas, 3 SC tumors (SCT) not otherwise specified (SCT-NOS), 3 sclerosing SCT, 2 large cell calcifying SCT, 1 SCT with heterologous sarcomatous elements, 1 malignant SCT, and 1 sertoliform rete testis adenoma (sertoliform RTA). We found that SCT-NOS and variants with sclerosis showed a phenotype akin to atrophic seminiferous tubules characterized by gain of expression of pankeratin, calretinin, CD56, which are negative in normal SC. Distinctive phenotypes were identified in: sclerosing SCT: androgen receptors (AR) + (strong)/PAX2/PAX8+ (subset)/S100+/inhibin-; large cell calcifying SCT: calretinin+ (strong)/S100+/AR-; sertoliform RTA: PAX2/PAX8+/pankeratin+/inhibin-. Androgenic hormones and enzymes did not show diagnostic utility. A panel of calretinin, inhibin, pankeratin, S100, PAX2/PAX8, and AR consistently allowed distinction between variants of Sertoli and sertoliform tumors., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) is an uncommon but distinct histologic subtype of ovarian carcinoma. Although the histologic features and natural history of LGSC have been described in the literature, there is no robust correlative study that has specifically addressed histologic features in correlation with clinical follow-up. To refine the criteria for invasion patterns of LGSC and determine additional clinically pertinent morphologic features of LGSC predisposing to a more aggressive clinical course, the clinicopathologic features of 52 LGSCs were evaluated and compared with those of a large series of serous borderline tumors (SBT), with and without invasive implants. To qualify for LGSC, the tumor needed to demonstrate destructive invasion, nuclear atypia that was mild to moderate at most (grade 1 or 2), and a mitotic index that did not exceed 12 mitoses per 10 high-power fields. On the basis of histologic evaluation, destructive invasion was classified into 7 primary architectural patterns: (1) micropapillary and/or complex papillary; (2) compact cell nests; (3) inverted macropapillae; (4) cribriform; (5) glandular and/or cystic; (6) solid sheets with slit-like spaces; and (7) single cells. Five-year overall survival and disease-free survival for LGSC were 82% (median, 72 mo) and 47% (median, 54 mo), respectively. All the patients with fatal outcome demonstrated tumors showing invasion with predominant patterns of cribriform glands, micropapillae and/or complex papillae, or compact cell nests. Notably, 2 of 9 patients with fatal outcome had only small foci of destructive invasion (2 and 3 mm, respectively) with compact cell nests and cribriform glands as the predominant patterns. There was no statistically significant association between pattern of invasion and disease-free survival. Classic stromal microinvasion, as defined by nondestructive stromal invasion <5 mm was identified in 52% of LGSC and was statistically more frequent in LGSC than in SBT (P<0.001). In 2 LGSCs, there were areas demonstrating an intraluminal solid proliferation of tumor cells with grade 1 or 2 nuclear atypia, which we hypothesize may represent a noninvasive form of LGSC, as similar non-invasive proliferations of morphologically low-grade serous carcinomatous cells were also identified in 8 SBTs, in either solid or compact glandular/papillary formations. One patient with this isolated noninvasive pattern in SBT developed LGSC 40 months after initial operation. LGSC was typically high stage (FIGO stages II to IV, 86%) and bilateral (68%), with multiple foci of invasion (82%). Bilaterality was significantly more common in high-stage disease (P=0.009). LGSC was associated with SBT in 84% of cases, most commonly usual type (27%), followed by cribriform (18%), micropapillary (11%), or mixed cribriform and micropapillary (7%) types; focal micropapillary and/or cribriform features were present in an additional 16%. The presence of intraluminal proliferations of cells resembling LGSC occurring in SBT should prompt additional tumor sampling and assiduous evaluation of implants (if present), as this appears to represent a form of intraepithelial carcinoma, which may be associated with invasion elsewhere.

The classification of extraovarian disease into invasive and noninvasive implants predicts patient outcome in patients with high-stage ovarian serous borderline tumors (tumors of low malignant potential). However, the morphologic criteria used to classify implants vary between studies. To date, there has been no large-scale study with follow-up data comparing the prognostic significance of competing criteria. Peritoneal and/or lymph node implants from 181 patients with high-stage serous borderline tumors were evaluated independently by 3 pathologists for the following 8 morphologic features: micropapillary architecture; glandular architecture; nests of epithelial cells with surrounding retraction artifact set in densely fibrotic stroma; low-power destructive tissue invasion; single eosinophilic epithelial cells within desmoplastic stroma; mitotic activity; nuclear pleomorphism; and nucleoli. Follow-up of 156 (86%) patients ranged from 11 to 264 months (mean, 89 mo; median, 94 mo). Implants with low-power destructive invasion into underlying tissue were the best predictor of adverse patient outcome with 69% overall and 59% disease-free survival (P<0.01). In the evaluation of individual morphologic features, the low-power destructive tissue invasion criterion also had excellent reproducibility between observers (κ=0.84). Extraovarian implants with micropapillary architecture or solid nests with clefts were often associated with tissue invasion but did not add significant prognostic value beyond destructive tissue invasion alone. Implants without attached normal tissue were not associated with adverse outcome and appear to be noninvasive. Because the presence of invasion in an extraovarian implant is associated with an overall survival analogous to that of low-grade serous carcinoma, the designation low-grade serous carcinoma is recommended. Even though the low-power destructive tissue invasion criterion has excellent interobserver reproducibility, it is further recommended that the presence of an invasive implant be confirmed by at least 2 pathologists (preferably at least 1 of whom is an experienced gynecologic pathologist) in order to establish the diagnosis of-low grade serous carcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of fertility-sparing surgery in treating advanced-stage borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs)., Materials and Methods: The databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Weipu (Chinese), and Wanfang (Chinese) were searched using the keywords "advanced-stage borderline ovarian tumors", "fertility-sparing surgery", "conservative surgery", and "borderline ovarian tumor" to collect the clinical controlled trails (CCTs) regarding fertility-sparing surgery for the treatment of advanced-stage BOT. The references of those CCTs were also searched manually. Data extraction and quality assessment were done using Review manager Version 5.1 and R software Version 2.11.1., Results: Four studies involving 74 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: (1) compared with radical surgery, the recurrence of the fertility-sparing surgery during the follow time is higher with significant difference [odds ratio (OR)=3.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.20,12.44), p=0.02]; (2) the difference of survival rate between the two groups was not significant [5-year survival: OR=0.85, 95%CI (0.03, 23.82), p=0.92; 7-year survival: OR=0.80, 95%CI (0.08, 8.41), p=0.85]; and (3) concerning fertility results in fertility-sparing surgery, 18 patients tried to become pregnant, 15 pregnancies were achieved in the 11 patients, 11 full-term deliveries., Conclusion: The rate of ovarian recurrence in patients who underwent conservative treatment was higher than in patients with radical treatment, but it did not affect patient survival; fertility-sparing surgery could be induced to preserve the fertility potential of young patients., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: The clinical value of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and the possibility of its use in the differential diagnosis in patients with benign, borderline and epithelial ovarian cancer in early International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages., Study Design: The study group consisted of 205 women, including 60 with ovarian cancer, 18 with borderline tumors, 77 with benign lesions and 50 healthy subjects. In all the patients, before the treatment and in control groups, we determined CA 125 and HE4 in serum by electrochemiluminescence on the basis of the COBAS e601 system. For comparison of two independent groups, we used the U Mann-Whitney test. The analysis of the diagnostic power of the assessed parameters has been determined using the MedCalc statistical program. The probability of disease free survival (DFS) was evaluated using the log-rank test and Cox regression model., Results: Concentrations of HE4, CA 125 and Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) value were significantly higher in early ovarian cancer than in patients with benign (P<0.0001) and borderline tumors (P<0.002), the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves, demonstrated the highest diagnostic sensitivity for the ROMA score, as well post (AUC=0.817) as pre-menopausal (AUC=0.806). HE4 concentrations (P<0.021) and the value of the ROMA score (P<0.004) were significantly higher in patients with relapse than in patients in remission. There was no connection between concentrations of the studied tumor markers and DFS., Conclusions: Determination of HE4 serum concentrations has a significant clinical value, especially in patients with benign lesions and elevated CA 125 levels. The combined assessment of HE4, CA 125 and the ROMA algorithm is helpful in differentiating benign tumors and borderline pelvic tumors from epithelial ovarian cancer in early FIGO stages. Determination of HE4, CA 125 and ROMA algorithm is not helpful in differentiating patients with borderline from benign lesions., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Recent studies have demonstrated that most so-called ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas are likely to arise from the epithelium of the distal fimbrial portion of the fallopian tube from a precursor lesion known as serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC). We report 2 cases in patients aged 56 and 71 of lesions morphologically identical to STIC (referred to as STIC-like lesions) arising from the benign ciliated epithelium of ovarian serous cystadenofibromas. In 1 case, 2 glands within the serous cystadenofibroma exhibited high-grade nuclear atypia and mitotic activity and in the other similar changes were multifocal. No invasion of the stroma was seen. In both cases, the STIC-like lesion exhibited aberrant "mutation-type" staining with p53 (1 diffuse intense positivity, 1 null pattern). As far as we are aware, a STIC-like lesion involving the epithelium of a benign ovarian serous neoplasm has not been reported previously. Both patients were followed up without adjuvant treatment. One case is recent, and follow-up in the other patient is uneventful at 12 mo.

Molecular studies have shown that the most prevalent mutations in serous ovarian borderline tumors (s-BOT) are BRAF and/or KRAS alterations. About one third of s-BOT represent peritoneal implants and/or lymph node involvement. These extraovarian deposits may be monoclonal or polyclonal in origin. To test both the hypotheses, mutational analyses using pyrosequencing for BRAF codon 600 and KRAS codon 12/13 and 61 of microdissected tissue was performed in 15 s-BOT and their invasive and noninvasive peritoneal implants. Two to 6 implants from different peritoneal sites were examined in 13 cases. Lymph node deposits were available for the analysis in 3 cases. Six s-BOT showed mutation in exon 2 codon 12 of the KRAS proto-oncogen. Five additional cases showed BRAF p.V600E mutation representing an overall mutation rate of 73.3%. Multiple (2-6) peritoneal implants were analyzed after microdissection in 13 of 15 cases. All showed identical mutational results when compared with the ovarian site of the disease. All lymph node deposits, including those with multiple deposits in different nodes, showed identical results, suggesting high intratumoral mutational homogeneity. The evidence presented in this study and the majority of data reported in the literature support the hypothesis that s-BOT with their peritoneal implants and lymph node deposits show identical mutational status of BRAF and KRAS suggesting a monoclonal rather than a polyclonal disease regarding these both tested genetic loci. In addition, a high intratumoral genetic homogeneity can be suggested. In conclusion, the results of the present study support the monoclonal origin of s-BOT and their peritoneal implants and lymph node deposits.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for progression to invasive carcinoma in patients with borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs)., Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients treated and followed for BOTs between 1996 and 2011. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for progression to invasive carcinoma., Results: A total of 364 patients were identified. During the median follow-up of 53.8 months, 31 patients (8.5%) developed recurrent disease: 12 (3.3%) had recurrent disease with progression to invasive carcinoma, and 19 (5.2%) had recurrent disease with borderline histology. Disease-related deaths (7/364; 1.7%) were observed only in patients with progression to invasive carcinoma. The multivariate analysis showed that independent risk factors for progression to invasive carcinoma were advanced disease stage (hazard ratio [HR], 5.59; P = 0.005), age 65 years or older (HR, 5.13; P = 0.037), and the presence of microinvasion (HR, 3.71; P = 0.047). These 3 factors were also independently related to overall survival., Conclusions: Although patients with BOTs have an excellent prognosis, the risk of progression to invasive carcinoma and thereby death remains. Therefore, physicians should pay closer attention to BOT patients with these risk factors (ie, advanced disease stage, old age, and microinvasion), and more careful surveillance for progression to invasive carcinoma is needed.

Background: Fertility preservation techniques are a growing area of research as more women in the reproductive age group develop gynaecologic cancers. We report here a novel technique of fertility preservation used in the treatment of a patient with borderline ovarian tumour., Case: A 29-year-old woman with stage I borderline ovarian tumour was referred to our tertiary level hospital. She had a history of infertility and requested fertility preservation be considered in treatment decisions. We performed bilateral laparoscopic partial decortication of the ovaries, and the patient successfully conceived spontaneously following the procedure., Conclusion: Fertility-preserving surgery should be an option for young women with borderline ovarian tumours who wish to retain fertility. Removing abnormal ovarian tissue may restore fertility. The laparoscopic approach is safe and feasible for these patients.

Because of different patterns of molecular changes, a dualistic model of serous tumors is now assumed with serous borderline tumors (SBT) and low-grade serous carcinomas (LGSC) on one side and high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSC) on the other. The clinical course and the type of treatment of SBT and LGSC depend crucially on whether they are associated with extraovarian manifestations. So-called invasive implants of SBT correspond morphologically to LGSC. The MD Anderson grading system has become established for the distinction between LGSC and HGSC, HGSC shows a wide range of growth patterns, including a transitional epithelial-like type. Carcinosarcomas can be interpreted as HGSC variants. Considering the new theory that all serous neoplasms of the ovary, peritoneum and fallopian tubes are derived from the tubal fimbria, the term "ovarian carcinoma" seems no longer appropriate.

Mucinous ovarian neoplasms represent the second largest group of epithelial ovarian tumors after serous neoplasms, of which benign cystadenomas constitute more than 80 %. Mucinous cystadenomas and carcinomas cannot be distinguished by the clinical features or the mean age of onset of the disease. They typically occur unilaterally, are confined to the adnexae (FIGO stage I) and clinically present with non-specific abdominal symptoms or are diagnosed by chance. The mean age of disease onset is around 50 years old. The prognosis is excellent. Implants, peritoneal metastases and bilateral occurrence of ovarian mucinous neoplasms should lead to the suspicion of metastasis particularly from a gastrointestinal tumor. Neither microinvasion defined as a maximum extent of invasion of 5 mm, nor intraepithelial carcinoma characterized by high grade atypia without invasion, affect the prognosis of mucinous borderline tumors. Mucinous carcinomas typically show confluent glandular, expansile growth that leads to a labyrinth-like pattern. A destructive infiltrative or nodular growth pattern, however, should lead to the consideration of metastasis. Mural nodules that may reveal a spindle cell sarcomatous or anaplastic carcinomatous pattern occur infrequently in mucinous and do not affect the prognosis. Pax8 positivity is indicative of a primary ovarian neoplasm. In this case, however, mucinous tumors associated with teratomas may show the colonic immunoreaction pattern (CK7-/CK20+/CDX2+). The rare mucinous tumors with endocervical differentiation are now designated as seromucinous tumors and consist of two or more distinct cell types, are frequently associated with endometriosis and seem to show a molecular genetic relationship to endometrioid neoplasms.

Clear cell adenofibroma (CCAF) is a rare surface epithelial-stromal tumor of the ovary and recently considered another precursor of clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) other than endometrioma. We report magnetic resonance (MR) findings of a borderline CCAF that contained a small CCA focus. The tumor manifested a characteristic "black sponge" appearance. The CCA focus showed high signal intensity on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and early enhancement on dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MR imaging (DCE-MRI), and the CCAF components showed low signal intensity on DWI and gradually increasing contrast enhancement on DCE-MRI.

The ovaries can be affected by a vast variety of tumours, which may be benign or malignant, solid or cystic. Although ultrasonography is often the first examination performed in the evaluation of gynaecological conditions, magnetic resonance imaging is nowadays the most accurate imaging technique in the characterization of ovarian masses. Once the ovarian origin of a pelvic mass has been determined, the detection of any fibrous component within the lesion significantly reduces the spectrum of aetiologies that should be considered. Fibrotic tissue usually displays marked low-signal intensity on T2-weighted sequences at MRI, and enhancement is mostly moderate after intravenous administration of gadolinium chelates. This review aims to provide the main diagnoses to consider at MRI whenever an ovarian tumour, both purely solid or solid and cystic, contains a fibrous component, even if minimally abundant. The corresponding key imaging features are provided., (Copyright © 2013 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The Obermair nomogram was recently developed to predict the risk of relapse in patients with borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs) based on five readily available clinical, biological, and pathological characteristics. We set out to externally validate and assess its robustness using a multi-institutional BOT database., Methods: All consecutive patients treated for BOTs in the two participating centres between January 1980 and December 2008 and who had all the nomogram variables documented were identified for analysis., Results: Three hundred and fourteen eligible patients were identified and used for external validation analysis. The median follow-up and initial relapse time were 46.43 (range: 0.1-360) and 66.64 (range: 8-77) months, respectively. The nomogram concordance index was 0.54 (95% CI, 0.52-0.56). The correspondence between the actual relapse and the nomogram predictions suggests a limited calibration of the nomogram in the validation cohort., Conclusion: This external validation study of the Obermair nomogram showed limitations in its generalisability to a new and independent patient population.

Ovarian serous cystadenofibromas are benign neoplasms that sometimes have focal areas of borderline serous tumor and rarely have been associated with epithelial proliferations in the peritoneum, resembling implants. We are reporting 2 cases of ovarian serous cystadenofibromas with serous peritoneal lesions of higher grade than the ovarian tumor: 1 case had a serous carcinoma and another 1 a serous borderline tumor., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

MAGE-C1/CT7, NY-ESO-1, GAGE and MAGE-A4 are members of the cancer/testis (CT) antigen family, which have been proposed as potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. To determine the prevalence and biologic relevance of the novel CT antigen MAGE-C1/CT7 and other antigens, 36 ovarian borderline tumours (BTs), 230 primary ovarian carcinomas (OCs) and 80 recurrent OCs were immunohistochemically analysed using the monoclonal antibodies CT7-33 (MAGE-C1/CT7), E978 (NY-ESO-1), clone 26 (GAGE) and 57B (MAGE-A4). Positivity of at least one CT antigen was present in 39.5 % (81/205) of primary OC and in 50 % (26/52) of all recurrences. Expression of the novel CT antigen MAGE-C1/CT7 was most commonly seen with positivity in 24.5 % of primary and 35.1 % of recurrent OC. MAGE-A4, GAGE and NY-ESO-1 expressions were seen in 22.7, 13.9 and 7.1 % of primary and 22.6, 17.5 and 8.9 % of recurrent OC, respectively. Analysis of histological subtypes (serous, endometrioid, clear cell, mucinous and transitional) exhibited variable expression with negativity in all mucinous OC. High-grade serous OC revealed CT antigen expression in 5.6 to 28 % with MAGE-C1/CT7 being the most frequent, but without correlation with stage or overall survival. MAGE-C1/CT7 expression and coexpression of CT antigens were significantly correlated with grade of endometrioid OC. None of the BT showed CT antigen expression. No significant correlation was seen with stage, overall survival or response to chemotherapy. In summary, CT antigens are expressed in a certain subset of OC with no expression in BT or OC of mucinous histology. These findings may have implications for the design of polyvalent vaccination strategies for ovarian carcinomas.

Ovary benign clear cell adenofibroma (CCAF) is extremely rare. Here, we reported a 38-year-old woman with CCAF who was given sequential cyclic hormone replacement therapy for eight years due to premature ovarian failure (POF). At operation, we found adenofibromas in both ovaries and well encapsulated. The cut surface was cystic and solid in appearance, and multilocular cysts embedded in hard stroma. Determination of sex hormone levels in the fluid of cysts of the ovary showed normal level. Clear cell cystadenofibroma proliferation was found in ovarian stroma while atrophy in ovarian cortex. Histological examination revealed that the glands were lined by 1 or 2 layers of hobnail cells with scant to moderate pale or clear cytoplasm. The nuclei were small uniform, and flat to round. Neither primary follicles nor secondary follicles were observed in ovary cortex. Immunohistochemical results showed that EMA and p53 were positive while Calretinin was negative. In this article, we reviewed literatures and analyzed both clinical and pathological features of ovary benign clear cell adenofibromas.

Psammocarcinoma of the ovary is a rare serous neoplasm, with only 32 cases reported in the international literature. Characteristically, this tumour shows extensive formation ofpsammoma bodies, low-grade cytological features, and invasion of the ovarian stroma, peritoneum or intraperitoneal viscera. The behaviour of this entity is unpredictable, with benign, low malignant and metastatic potential. Herein the authors report a case ofpsammocarcinoma of the ovary with homolateral serous cystoadenofibroma and thecoma, which were associated with Brenner tumour and adenofibroma of the contralateral ovary, in a 78-year-old woman. Thus, this example shows an unpredictable tumour associated with multiple benign epithelial neoplasms and a benign stromal tumour. Moreover, this example of psammocarcinoma is very interesting because it measures only 1.5 x 0.5 x 1.5 cm and, to the best of the author's knowledge, represents the smallest case ofpsammocarcinoma described so far in the literature.

Objectives: To assess the morphological and enhancement features of histologically proven cystadenofibromas (CAFs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)., Methods: Forty-seven histologically proven CAFs (42 benign, five borderline) were retrospectively reviewed. One benign CAF had a synchronous adenocarcinoma in the same ovary. The morphological, signal and enhancement characteristics on MRI were recorded., Results: The mean long axis diameter of the CAFs was 80 mm. The contralateral ovary was abnormal in 45 % of cases. A solid component was seen in 85 %, which returned low T2-weighted signal in 75 % of CAFs. Septa were seen in 74 % and one CAF was purely cystic. The majority of solid components and septa demonstrated enhancement that was less than the myometrium. Wash-in rates (WIR) of the solid tissue were available for measurement in nine patients with an average WIR of 3.2 l/s., Conclusion: This is the largest series describing MRI appearances of histologically proven CAFs. They are typically complex adnexal lesions containing septa, cystic components and solid tissue. The majority of solid components demonstrate low T2 signal and minimal enhancement. Almost half of the cases have an abnormal contralateral ovary.

Aim: To analyse the morphological magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of borderline ovarian tumours (BOT) and to evaluate whether MRI can be used to distinguish serous from mucinous subtypes., Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 72 patients who underwent BOT resection was undertaken. MRI images were reviewed blindly by two radiologists to assess MRI features: size, tumour type, grouped and irregular thickened septa, number of septa, loculi of different signal intensity, vegetations, solid portion, signal intensity of vegetations, normal ovarian parenchyma, and pelvic ascites. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact tests. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the predictive value of the MRI findings for histological subtypes., Results: At histology, there were 33 serous BOT (SBOT) and 39 mucinous BOT (MBOT). Predictive MRI criteria for SBOT were bilaterality, predominantly solid tumour, and the presence of vegetations, especially exophytic or with a high T2 signal (p < 0.01), whereas predictive MRI criteria for MBOT were multilocularity, number of septa, loculi of different signal intensity, and grouped and irregular thickened septa (p < 0.01). Using multivariate analysis, vegetations were independently associated with SBOT [odds ratio (OR) = 29.5] and multilocularity with MBOT (OR = 3.9)., Conclusion: Vegetations and multilocularity are two independent MRI features that can help to distinguish between SBOT and MBOT., (Copyright © 2012 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Serum concentrations of CA-125 are rarely elevated beyond 1000 U/ml in benign conditions of the ovary in postmenopausal women. In this report, the authors present an unusual case of a 78-year-old woman with an extremely elevated CA-125 concentration of 2897 U/ml without the presence of a malignancy, ascites or pleural effusion. Imaging revealed a large intra-abdominal cystic mass with irregular solid deviations on CT scan, most likely arising from an ovary. Exploratory laparotomy was performed with suspicion of ovarian cancer but histopathological analysis revealed benign serous cystic adenofibroma. This case report highlights the diagnostic challenge of extremely increased levels of CA-125 in postmenopausal women. A possible explanation for this CA-125 elevation could be the mechanical stretch of the peritoneum.

Introduction: Cystadenofibromas are tumors of the ovary which originate from the surface coelomic epithelium. Benign mucinous cystadenofibroma is a very rare form of these tumors, which consists of dominant stromal component of the connective tissue and one or more cysts., Case Report: The case of a 62-year-old female with tumor of right ovary is reported in this paper. Histologically, tumor of the ovary had multilocular cystic formation, lined by a single-layer of mucoproductive cylindrical epithelium - endocervical type. In one area of tumor, the stromal component was abundant and made from partially hyalinised dense connective tissue. Mucinous cystadenofibroma was diagnosed on the basis of histological examination. Since the mucinous type of cystadenofibroma or adenofibroma is rare, this case has been chosen to be presented., Conclusion: Mucinous cystadenofibromas are differentially-diagnostically very similar to different malignant tumors and it is extremely important to make correct diagnosis of these neoplasms.

Objective: To investigate the expression and promoter methylation status of p73 gene in ovarian epithelial tumors and their clinicopathological correlations., Methods: Tissue microarrays (TMA) consisting of 68 ovarian cancers, 37 ovarian borderline tumors and 21 ovarian benign tumors were constructed. p73 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry (EnVision method). Fresh-frozen tissue samples from 13 cases of ovarian carcinomas and 5 cases of borderline tumors were evaluated for the presence of p73 promoter methylation using bisulfite sequencing., Results: Overall, 92.6% (63/68) ovarian carcinomas expressed p73, with a mean value of 32% (percentage of p73 positive cells in the tumor). The mean value of p73 expression rate (40%) in serous carcinoma (26/26) was higher than those of other cancer types (P = 0.006). The mean value of p73 expression rate (40%) in type II ovarian carcinoma was significantly higher than that in type I ovarian carcinoma (24%, P = 0.010). The expression of p73 was not associated with FIGO stage and histological grade (both P > 0.05). The mean values of p73 expression in ovarian borderline tumor (30/37) and benign tumor (12/21) were 16% and 15%, respectively. Of the two groups, the mean value of p73 expression rate in serous type was higher than that in mucous type (P = 0.003, P = 0.026). Ovarian carcinomas had a higher level of p73 expression than borderline tumors and benign tumors (both P < 0.05), while that between ovarian borderline tumors and benign tumors had no statistical difference (P > 0.05). Among serous tumors (49/53), the mean value of p73 expression in the carcinoma group (26/26) was significantly higher than those in the borderline tumor group (12/14) and benign tumor group (11/13; P = 0.024 and P = 0.002, respectively), while that between borderline tumor group and benign tumor group had no statistical difference (P = 0.428). Among mucous tumors (15/27), the mean value of p73 expression in carcinoma group (6/7) was higher than that in benign tumor group (1/8; P = 0.032). No statistical difference of p73 expression was seen between the carcinoma group and ovarian borderline tumor group (8/12) and between the borderline tumor group and benign tumor group (P = 0.234, P = 0.201, respectively). p73 promotor methylation was found in 8 of 13 cases of carcinomas but at different methylation levels with a mean value of 8.0%. Two of 5 ovarian borderline tumors showed detectable p73 promotor methylation with a mean value of 9.0%. Compared with the borderline tumors, ovarian carcinomas showed a similar p73 methylation level (P > 0.05). The p73 methylation level in ovarian carcinomas was not associated with histological type, pathogenetic type, histological grade and FIGO stage (all P > 0.05)., Conclusions: Most of ovarian epithelial tumors express p73 protein with mean values higher in ovarian carcinomas than those in the borderline and benign tumors. Ovarian serous carcinomas have the highest expression level of p73. A simple linear correlation does not exist between the promoter methylation and protein expression of p73.