Ovarian mucinous tumors stem from ovarian surface epithelium and are divide
d into benign, borderline and malignant. If is difficult to differentiate b
orderline and malignant mucinous tumors. Thirty-eight cases of ovarian muci
nous tumors which were diagnosed at the Pathology Department of Dicle Unive
rsity Medical Faculty were reviewed. Of these, 18 (47.3%), six (15.7%) and
14 (36.8%) were benign, borderline and malignant. respectively. The patient
s' ages ranged from 18 to 67 (average 44.5) years. Bilaterality was detecte
d in 1/18 (5.5%). 0/6 and 4/14 (28.5%) of benign, borderline and malignant
mucinous tumors, respectively. Mean tumor size was 26.4 cm. Microscopically
, there was no stratification in the benign tumors. The borderline tumors h
ad papillary infoldings and 2-3 layers of atypical epithelial cells but no
invasion of the stroma. Malignant tumors had four or more layers of atypica
l epithelial cells and stromal invasion.