Seromucinous borderline tumors (SMBT) are rare, generally low-grade epithelial ovarian neoplasms (10-20% of all borderline tumors) with a very high 5-year survival rate, often associated with endometriosis. They typically affect younger, reproductive-age women, appearing as cystic, papillary tumors.
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Key Characteristics
- Pathology: These tumors are characterized by a mix of Müllerian cell types (endocervical-type mucinous, serous, or ciliated cells).
Behavior: They are non-invasive, although they can sometimes exhibit small foci of microinvasion (
).
- Prognosis: Excellent; 5-year survival rates are upwards of 96-100%.
Symptoms: Commonly present with pelvic pain, abdominal discomfort, or as a finding during imaging, often associated with endometriosis.
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Management and Treatment
- Surgery: The primary treatment is surgical removal (cystectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy).
- Staging: Surgical staging often includes omentectomy and peritoneal cytology, especially if the tumor is large or shows suspicious features.
Recurrence: Although rare, they can recur, potentially requiring further surgical intervention.
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Differential Diagnosis
- Mucinous Tumor: These are generally divided into gastrointestinal-type (more common) and endocervical-like (similar to serous).
- Invasive Component: True invasion, characterized by stromal invasion of > 5mm, is classified as a carcinoma