Abstract
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinicopathological features and the survival time estimates in patients treated for borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs). A retrospective review of all patients treated for BOTs at the University of Bari (Bari, Italy) between 1991 and 2011 was performed. Data were obtained from hospital records and gynecological oncology charts. A total of 55 patients were identified. The median age was 40 years (range, 13–79 years). The majority of the patients (85.5%) exhibited International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) stage I disease and the remainder exhibited FIGO stage II/III (7.3% in each stage). Serous histology was found in 60.0% of the cases and an elevation of the cancer antigen-125 serum level occurred in 23.6% of the cases. All patients underwent surgery and 3.7% received chemotherapy. In total, 10.9% exhibited recurrence and the median survival rate was 39 months. The median survival time and the five-year survival rate were 42 months (range, 16–84 months) and 97%, respectively. Therefore, BOTs have an excellent prognosis. Conservative surgery should be considered for patients of reproductive age who desire preservation of fertility. A long-term follow-up is highly recommended for these tumors.
Highlights
borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) represent 10‐20% of epithelial ovarian neoplasms [3]
BOTs include the key characteristics of cytoplasmic and nuclear atypia, which is an element of differential diagnosis with benign tumors, and an absence of stromal invasion, which is an element of the differential diagnosis with malignant tumors
The present retrospective chart review was conducted in order to evaluate the clinicopathological features and the survival time estimates in patients treated for BOTs at the University of Bari (Bari, Italy)
Summary
BOTs represent 10‐20% of epithelial ovarian neoplasms [3]. The incidence of BOTs is 1.8‐4.8 cases per 100,000 females per year [4], and they typically have an excellent prognosis. BOTs may occur at any age, they are predominantly diagnosed in pre‐menopausal females aged 34‐40 years old [5]. BOTs include the key characteristics of cytoplasmic and nuclear atypia, which is an element of differential diagnosis with benign tumors, and an absence of stromal invasion, which is an element of the differential diagnosis with malignant tumors. An unusual degree of proliferation of the epithelial cells with cellular stratification, including notable architectural atypia and the formation of papillary protuberances, is another key characteristic. The present retrospective chart review was conducted in order to evaluate the clinicopathological features and the survival time estimates in patients treated for BOTs at the University of Bari (Bari, Italy)
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