Surface epithelial-stromal tumour
Surface epithelial-stromal tumours are a class of ovarian neoplasms that may be benign or malignant.
Neoplasms in this group are derived from the ovarian surface epithelium (modified peritoneum) or the epithelial inclusions that are a usual finding in the ovarian cortex of adult women.
This group of tumours accounts for 50-55% of all ovarian tumours, and the malignant forms account for approximately 90% of ovarian malignancies in North America.
Serum Ca125 is often elevated and can be a useful tumour marker to assess the progress of treatment. Epithelial-stromal tumours are classified on the basis of the epithelial cell type, the relative amounts of epithelium and stroma, the presence of papillary processes, and the location of the epithelial elements.
Microscopic pathological features determine whether a surface epithelial-stromal tumour is benign, borderline (evidence of malignancy), or malignant (evidence of malignancy and stromal invasion). This group consists of serous, mucinous, endometrioid, clear cell, and brenner (transitional cell) tumours, though there are a few mixed, undifferentiated and unclassified types.
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