Beautiful Pathology: Benign and Malignant Ovarian Disease

These beautiful and often other-worldly photographs by pathologist Ed Uthman, MD, show both benign and malignant ovarian pathology.

Benign Ovarian Cyst

A benign 4.5 cm cyst of follicular origin.

Brenner Tumor of the Ovary

Two percent of all ovarian tumors are Brenner tumors, and they can be benign, proliferative, or malignant. This one was found in a patient with cervical carcinoma.

Fibroma of the Ovary

Though it’s the most common sex cord-stromal tumor, it is rare, comprising about 3% of benign tumors.

Mature Cystic Teratoma of Ovary

This benign, 4 cm mature cystic teratoma of the ovary was found incidentally at the time of Caesarean section. There were abundant neuroglia and even one neuron. Central nervous system tissue is very common in mature teratomas.

Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma of the Ovary

This is a rare type of epithelial tumor. Studies indicate that many tumors initially diagnosed as primary tumors may, in fact, have metastasized from another site.

Ovarian Mucinous Cystadenoma

This 11 cm mucinous ovarian tumor had unusually rigid walls and an endocervical type lining.

Proliferating Mucinous Tumor of the Ovary

This solid 13 cm tumor was found in a 74 year-old woman. There was a microscopic metastasis in the other ovary, and the peritoneal washings were positive.

Serous LMP Tumor

An ovarian serous tumor of low malignant potential (S-LMP) or “borderline tumor” are distinct from both benign serous tumors and serous carcinoma. Most of these tumors are clinically benign, but sometimes recur and occasionally progress to low-grade serious carcinoma. Follow-up is important.

Normal Human Ovary with Fully Developed Corpus Luteum

This normal ovary was removed in the course of a hysterectomy for uterine disease. The bright yellow corpus luteum is fully developed, as it would be in the mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle following ovulation.