GYN Pathology: Fallopian Tubes and Ovaries Flashcards
Most common etiologies underlying suppurative salpingitis?
- N. gonorrhea = 60% of cases
- C. trachomatis = remainder
- More than one organism can be involved; any pyogenic organism
Tuberculosis salpingitis is an important cause of what in endemic countries; what are the main histo features of this disorder?
- Infertility
- Caseating granulomas + multinucleated giant cells + epitheliod macrophages
What are the most common primary lesions of the fallopian tubes (excluding endometriosis)?
- Paratubal Cysts = small translucent cysts filled w/ clear, serous fluid
- Hydatids of Morgagni = larger cysts found near the fimbriated end of the tube or in the broad ligaments; remnants of müllerian duct.
Which uncommon benign tumor may arise in the fallopian tube?
Adenomatoid tumor (mesotheliomas)
Which rare tumor of the fallopian tube may present as dominant tubal mass on pelvic examination or due to abnormal discharge, bleeding, and occasionally abnormal cells on Pap smear?
Primary Adenocarcinoma
In terms of the fallopian tubes what are the most common disorders you must consider?
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Endometriosis
- Inflammatory disorders –> Salpingitis
What stage do most primary adenocarcinomas of the fallopian tube present at; what is the prognosis of these tumors?
- 50% of the tumors are stage I at diagnosis
- But nearly 40% of pt’s are dead within 5-years
- Higher stage tumors pursue an even more aggressive course
New data has suggested that a subset of serous ovarian cancers actually arise from where?
Epithelium of the fallopian tube
What is the most common cause of an ovarian mass in a reproductive age female?
Cystic follicle –> originating from unrutured graafian follicles
What are the growth characteristics of cystic follicles and how does size dictate their classification?
- Usually multiple and discovered incidentally; BENIGN
- If >2/2.5 cm then called follicle cyst –> may be palpable or cause pelvic pain
What are cystic follicles and the larger follicle cysts filled with; how do they appear morphologically?
- Filled with a clear, serous fluid
- Lined by gray, glistening membrane
How common are luteal cysts and what is their gross appearance that distinguishes them from cystic follicles?
- Present in the normal ovaries of reproductive age females
- Lined w/ rim of bright yellow tissue containing luteinized granulosa cells
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder characterized by what findings clinically?
- Hyperandrogenism - hirsutism, acne, deep voice, male pattern baldness
- Menstrual irregularities - amenorrhea
- Chronic anovulation
- ↓ fertility
Due to increase in free estrone levels, women with PCOS are at an increased risk for what?
Endometrial hyperplasia and cancer
What underlying metabolic disorders are common in women with PCOS?
- Obesity due to altered adipose tissue metabolism
- T2DM due to insulin resistance
- Premature atherosclerosis
Majority of ovarian tumors are (benign/malignant) and how does age play a role in this?
- 80% are benign, typically occur in younger women btw 20-45 y/o
- Malignant tumors often older women btw ages of 45-65 y/o
What are the risk factors associated with malignant serous carcinomas of the ovary?
- Nulliparity (low parity) = never given birth
- Family hx
- Heritable mutations: BRCA1 and BRCA2
The distinction between low-grade (well-differentiated) and high-grade (moderate to poor differentiated) serous ovarian carcinoma is based on what and correlates with?
Degree of nuclear atypia; correlates with patient survival
Ovarian and endometrial serous tumors have what characteristic morphologic finding?
Psammoma bodies (concentric calcifications)
Which precursor lesion associated with sporadic high-grade serous ovarian cancer has been described as originating in the fallopian tube?
Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC)
Which cystic lesions of the ovary may be the origin of a vast majority of serous ovarian carcinomas?
Cortical inclusion cysts
How do the genetic mutations observed in low- vs. high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas differ?
- Low-grade = mutations in KRAS, BRAF, or ERBB2;* withwild-type*TP53
- High-grade = high frequency of TP53 mutations and lack mutations in either KRAS or BRAF.
What are the morphological features of benign serous ovarian tumors both grossly and microscopically?
- Smooth glistening cyst wall w/ NO epithelial thickening or have small papillary projections
- Abundant cilia are found in benign tumors
What gross morphological features of serous ovarian carcinomas are features of malignany?
- Larger areas of solid or papillary tumor mass
- Tumor irregularity
- Fixation or nodularity of the capsule
What epithelial proliferation pattern is thought to be the precursor to low-grade serous carcinomas?
Growth in a delicate, papillary pattern known as “micropapillary carcinoma”
Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas consist of cells morphologically identical to high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas, but are distinguished how?
LACK of invasion
Both low- and high-grade serous ovarian tumors have a propensity to spread where; assoc. w/ what common presenting sign?
- Spread to peritoneal surfaces and omentum
- Commonly assoc. w/ presence of ascites
What is the 5-year survival rate for borderline and malignant serous ovarian carcinomas confined to the ovaries; what is prognosis for same tumor involving the peritoneum?
- Confined to ovary = 100% (borderline) and 70% (malignant)
- Peritoneum = 90% (borderline) and 25% (malignant)
What is the prognosis of serous ovarian carcinomas dependent on?
Pathologic classification of the tumor and growth pattern on the peritoneum
Which genetic mutation is a consistent alteration observed in all type of mucinous tumors of the ovary?
KRAS proto-oncogene
What are some of the major difference between mucinous and serous ovarian tumors in terms of growth patterns?
- Mucinous RARELY involve the surface of the ovary (unlike serous)
- Mucinous are RARELY bilateral
- Mucinous produce larger cystic masses
How do mucinous tumors of the ovary appear grossly and what are they filled with?
Multiloculated tumors w/ sticky, gelatinous fluid rich in glycoproteins
What type of differentiation is observed with benign mucinous ovarian tumors?
- Gastric or intestinal differentiation = common
- Endocervical type = uncommon
How are mucinous borderline tumors distinguished from benign mucinous (cystadenomas) based on morphology?
- Epithelial stratification + tufting; and/or papillary intraglandular growth
- Often appear similar to tubular adenomas or villous adenomas of the intestine
What type of growth pattern is characteristic of malignant mucinous carcinomas?
Confluent glandular growth = “expansile” invasion
What is the 10-year survival for stage I (noninvasive) mucinous carcinoma vs. invasive mucinous carcinoma?
- Stage I = 95%
- Invasive = 90%
- Spread beyond ovary is usually fatal
Since mucinous ovarian carcinomas are uncommon, what must they be distinguished from especially with bilateral presentation?
Metastatic mucinous adenocarcinomas
What does pseudomyxoma peritonei refer to and what is it related to?
- Extensive mucinous ascites + cystic epithelial implants on peritoneal surface + adhesions + frequently involves ovaries
- Almost all cases due to extraovarian source (usually APPENDICEAL)***
What are the 3 classifications of endometrioid ovarian tumors?
- Benign = endometrioid adenofibromas
- Borderline
- Malignant
How are endometrioid ovarian tumors distinguished from serous and mucinous tumors?
Presence of tubular glands resembling benign or malignant endometrium