Female Genital System

Derivation of various ovarian neoplasms and some data on their frequency and age distribution


This is a unilocular, thin-walled cyst containing clear fluid. Their outer surface is smooth and glistening.
Benign serous cystadenoma
Benign epithelial tumors of the ovary can reach massive proportions. The serous cystadenoma seen here fills a surgical pan and dwarfs the 4 cm ruler.

Inner aspect of serous cystadenoma showing papillary structures protruding within

Benign serous cystadenoma


Single layer of bland-looking epithelial cells lining one of the cystic structures of a serous cystadenoma.
Benign serous cystadenoma
Papillary areas in serous cystadenoma


Note the papillary projections in the lumen of the cyst, and also on its surface. In a benign papillary cystadenoma the papillae are present only on the inner surface of the cyst. (see fig. 10-25)
Papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary.


This 17-centimeter serous cystadenocarcinoma was discovered during exploratory laparotomy of a woman who presented with intestinal obstruction, which was caused by extrinisic compression of the bowel by one of the many intra-abdominal metastases of this tumor. Grossly, the tumor's cut surface demonstrates both cystic and papillary architectural patterns.
Papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary.

A, Borderline serous cystadenoma opened to display a cyst cavity lined by delicate papillary tumor growths. B, Cystadenocarcinoma. The cyst is opened to reveal a large, bulky tumor mass.
Serous cystic tumors: borderline Vs malignant


Ovarian papillary serous cystadenocarcinomas may contain small concretions called psammomma bodies, seen here as purplish rounded and laminated objects. They are essentially just a form of dystrophic calcification in neoplasms.
Papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary

A, displaying multicystic appearance and delicate septa. Note the presence of glistening mucin within the cysts. B, Columnar cell lining.
Mucinous cystadenoma

Mucinous cystadenoma

Outer and inner aspect of mucinous cystadenoma.

Mucinous tumor borderline ov

Gross appearance of a mucinous ovarian neoplasm that had borderline features at the microscopic level.



Lining of mucinous cystadenoma. Goblet cells are evident. This subtype, which is by far the most common, is referred to as intestinal.
Mucinous cystadenoma

In this instance, the lining of mucinous cystadenoma resembles endocervical epithelium.

Mucinous cystadenoma

Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma

The neoplasm is predominantly solid, but some mucin-containing cystic spaces can still be appreciated.

Complex architecture and obvious nuclear atypia in mucinous cystadenocarcinoma.

Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma

On opening a ball of hair (bottom) and a mixture of tissues are evident

Mature cystic teratoma (dermoid cyst) of the ovary

Mature cystic teratoma

Well-developed teeth in ovarian mature cystic teratoma.
Tuft of hair admixed with sebum



Various tissue components of mature cystic teratoma of ovary: A, skin adnexa, glial tissue (pale areas), and choroid plexus.
Various tissue components of mature cystic teratoma of ovary: gastric mucosa of pyloric type.
Skin & adenxae
Glial tissues
Choroid plexus


So-called "struma ovarii." The thyroid tissue, which has a microscopically unremarkable appearance, is sharply delimited from the ovarian stroma.
Mature cystic teratoma: struma ovarii
A mixture of thyroid follicles, fat, cartilage and glandular formations

Immature (malignant) teratoma ovary

Immature teratoma may be solid throughout, solid with multiple minute cysts, or predominantly cystic. It is a tumor of children and adolescents.

Ovarian immature teratoma with predominance of primitive neuroepithelial elements

Immature (malignant) teratoma ovary

Granulosa cell tumor ovary

GCT with solid & lobulated, yellow-gray cut surface.
GCT showing admixture of solid and cystic areas.



This is a granulosa cell tumor of ovary with a variegated cut surface. These tumors are derived from the ovarian stroma and often have a component of thecoma. They are often hormonally active and can produce large amounts of estrogen such that the patient may initially present with bleeding from endometrial hyperplasia.
Granulosa cell tumor ovary

The cells are disposed in cords, trabeculae & microfllicles. Call-Exner bodies are seen on the Rt (arrow). Note the coffee-bean nuclei
Granulosa cell tumor ovary

Krukenberg tumors ovary

Typical gross appearance of Krukenberg tumors of ovary. The involvement is bilateral and the tumors are characterized by a multinodular outer appearance.

Krukenberg tumors ovary

The multinodular quality of the ovarian metastasis is typical of Krukenberg tumor. A case of metastatic lobular ca breast


Krukenberg tumor of ovary; microscopic appearance. Numerous signet ring cells are present in a highly fibrous stroma, either individually or in small nests.
Krukenberg tumors ovary