Mullerian Mucinous/Mixed Epithelial (Seromucinous) Ovarian Tumors

Abstract: Mullerian mucinous/mixed-epithelial (seromucinous) tumors are a distinctive type of ovarian epithelial tumor that may be benign, borderline, or malignant. These tumors contain mucinous columnar cells that resemble endocervical mucosa, with admixed other Mullerian cell types including indifferent eosinophilic, ciliated, endometrioid, and squamous metaplastic. These tumors are frequently associated with endometriosis. The multiple synonyms for this histologic type include Mullerian mucinous, mixed-epithelial, endocervical-like, and seromucinous. The last 2 terms have been used in World Health Organization (WHO) classifications. In 2015, the group at Johns Hopkins proposed a return to the original terms Mullerian and mixed, based in part on their pioneering molecular work demonstrating abnormalities in ARID1a, similar to other endometriosis-associated tumors. Understanding of the distinctive aspects of this tumor is important, as the borderline form often occurs in younger women with desire for preservation of fertility, and because of their association with endometriosis.
Source: Pathology Case Reviews - Category: Pathology Tags: Case Reviews Source Type: research