Abstract
BackgroundMaking the distinction between primary mucinous and metastatic ovarian tumors is often difficult, especially in tumors with a primary source from the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and biliary tree. The aim of the following paper is to provide an overview of the problematics, with a focus on the possibilities of the differential diagnosis at the macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical level.Main bodyThe three main aspects of mucinous ovarian tumors are described in detail, including the comparison of the available diagnostic algorithms based on the evaluation of mostly macroscopic features, characterization of the spectrum of microscopic features, and a detailed analysis of the immunophenotype comparing 20 antibodies with the assessment of their statistical significance for differential diagnosis purposes. Specific features, including Krukenberg tumor and pseudomyxoma peritonei, are also discussed.ConclusionDespite the growing knowledge of the macroscopic and microscopic features of ovarian mucinous tumors and the availability of a wide range of immunohistochemical antibodies useful in this setting, there still remains a group of tumors which cannot be precisely classified without close clinical-pathological cooperation.
Highlights
According to historical data, primary mucinous ovarian carcinomas (MC) accounted for about 12% of all ovarian carcinomas [1]
Despite the growing knowledge of the macroscopic and microscopic features of ovarian mucinous tumors and the availability of a wide range of immunohistochemical antibodies useful in this setting, there still remains a group of tumors which cannot be precisely classified without close clinical-pathological cooperation
In our review we provide a comprehensive summary of ovarian mucinous tumors focusing on those morphological features which may be helpful in differential diagnosis, including macroscopy, microscopy, and IHC characteristics
Summary
Primary mucinous ovarian carcinomas (MC) accounted for about 12% of all ovarian carcinomas [1]. Dundr et al Diagnostic Pathology (2021) 16:20 that MCs are rare tumors, representing approximately 3% of all ovarian cancers For this reason, any data gained from studies of primary ovarian mucinous tumors which were conducted prior to the 1990s should be viewed with caution, as the likelihood that these studies inadvertently included metastatic tumors is high. There is still a certain proportion of tumors for which, based on the morphological and immunohistochemical (IHC) features alone, the distinction between a primary and a metastatic tumor is not possible These tumors require a close clinical-pathological cooperation. Main body: The three main aspects of mucinous ovarian tumors are described in detail, including the comparison of the available diagnostic algorithms based on the evaluation of mostly macroscopic features, characterization of the spectrum of microscopic features, and a detailed analysis of the immunophenotype comparing 20 antibodies with the assessment of their statistical significance for differential diagnosis purposes. Specific features, including Krukenberg tumor and pseudomyxoma peritonei, are discussed
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