Chapter 134 Mucinous Ovarian Cysts
INTRODUCTION
Description: A group of benign and malignant epithelial tumors of the ovary that are characterized by the secretion of mucin. These tumors tend to be the largest types of ovarian masses encountered and may be 30 cm or greater in size.
Prevalence: Fifteen percent to 25% of ovarian cysts, 6% to 10% of ovarian cancers. Although ovarian cysts are common in younger women, mucinous cysts account for about 50% of those that do occur in women older than 20 years.
ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS
Causes: Unknown. May represent a monomorphic endodermal differentiation of a teratoma or a tumor of Müllerian origin.
WORKUP AND EVALUATION
• Laboratory: As indicated before surgery. (CA-125 levels may be useful for the monitoring of disease response to treatment or progression, but this is not a good prognostic test. Only 80% of epithelial ovarian tumors express CA-125, and many benign and other malignant processes [lung, breast, and pancreas] may also cause CA-125 to become higher than normal.)
• Special Tests: A frozen-section histologic evaluation should be considered for any ovarian mass that appears suspicious for malignancy.
