Mucinous Cystadenoma

Synonyms/Description

One of the epithelial-stromal tumors containing mucoid material

Etiology

Most mucinous cystadenomas are benign tumors, although 20% can be borderline (low malignant potential) or malignant. Benign mucinous cystadenomas represent 20% to 25% of all benign ovarian tumors and occur mostly during the third to fifth decades. These mucinous tumors are comprised most often of the mucin-producing cell type similar to a cell type that lines the intestinal tract, although a minority of the tumors have endocervical-like mucin-producing cells. Some tumors may contain both cell types.

Borderline mucinous cystadenomas are of low malignant potential and carry a 5-year survival prognosis of 95%. The less common borderline the endocervical type has a worse prognosis and higher recurrence rate than the intestinal type. For the borderline and invasive neoplasms, see elsewhere in this book.