Pj. Wagner et al., FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE AFIP - OVARIAN EPITHELIAL NEOPLASMS - RADIOLOGIC-PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION, Radiographics, 14(6), 1994, pp. 1351-1374
Ovarian carcinoma is the most common cause of death from a gynecologic
malignant neoplasm. The typically advanced stage at presentation and
aggressive nature of these neoplasms result in an overall 5-year survi
val rate of less than 40%. Most malignant ovarian neoplasms are of the
surface epithelial cell type, which includes serous, mucinous, clear
cell, endometrioid, and Brenner tumors. However, among the epithelial
neoplasms, benign lesions are more common than malignant neoplasms, an
d other entities (including nonneoplastic masses) are far more common
causes of a pelvic mass. Imaging studies (ultrasound, computed tomogra
phy, and magnetic resonance imaging) can depict the tumor morphology:
solid or cystic, unilocular or multilocular cystic, with or without th
ickening of the walls or septa, with or without papillary excrescences
or other soft-tissue elements, and with or without calcifications. Ev
aluation of these morphologic characteristics allows attempted differe
ntiation among malignant, benign neoplastic, and nonneoplastic lesions
. Lesion characterization assists in surgical planning. Malignant neop
lasms nearly always require laparotomy, whereas benign neoplasms may b
e managed laparoscopically. In the case of ovarian carcinoma, treatmen
t is primarily surigical, and most patients also receive chemotherapy.
Unfortunately, recurrence is common.