Histopathologic features of ovarian borderline tumors are not predictive of clinical outcome

ObjectivesOvarian borderline tumors (BOTs) generally have an excellent prognosis, although recurrences and malignant transformation can occur. Our aim was to compare clinicopathologic features of BOT with clinical outcome.MethodsIn seventy consecutive BOTs clinicopathologic parameters, tumor cell proliferation (Ki67) and in selected cases KRAS, BRAF and p53 mutational status were analyzed with recurrence-free and overall survival as the endpoints.ResultsSixty-one (87%) patients presented with FIGO stage I, 3 stage II, and 6 stage III. Thirty-four patients had serous and 36 mucinous BOT (30 intestinal and 6 endocervical subtypes). Non-invasive peritoneal implants occurred in 9 patients, and no invasive implants were observed. Recurrence-free and overall survival rates were 91% and 99%, respectively, at a mean follow-up of 63 months.Disease recurrence occurred in 6 cases (all FIGO stage I) including 3 serous, 1 mucinous-intestinal, and 2 mucinous-endocervical subtypes. Mean time to recurrence was 27 months (range 8-68). The recurrence rate following fertility-conserving surgery was 31% (5/16) compared to 2% (1/54) after bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Neither peritoneal implants (9/70), micropapillary pattern (2/34), microinvasion (4/70), nor increased tumor cell proliferation was associated with a higher recurrence rate. The frequency of KRAS or BRAF mutations was 50% (3/6 recurrences and 3/6 controls; 4 KRAS, 2 BRAF mutations). No p53 mutations (0/12) were detected in primary or recurrent BOTs.ConclusionsHistopathologic parameters were not predictive of BOT recurrence including previously suggested risk factors such as micropapillary pattern and microinvasion. However, fertility-conserving surgery and incomplete surgical staging were associated with a higher risk for recurrence.

► Histopathologic parameters including previously suggested risk factors such as micropapillary pattern and microinvasion were not predictive of BOT recurrence. ► Fertility-conserving surgery and incomplete surgical staging were associated with a higher risk for recurrence of BOT. ► All BOT recurrences were exclusively located in the remaining ovary(ies) following fertility-conserving surgery, only 2 invasive recurrences showed peritoneal involvement.