Bilateral micropapillary serous carcinoma of the ovary: a case report

Micropapillary serous carcinoma (MPSC), a recently described entity in the group of serous borderline tumor, needs to be recognized and separated from serous borderline tumor of usual type (SBT) as MPSC has a worse prognosis.

We report the case of a 21-year-old female with gradually increasing lump abdomen for 6 months. Ultrasonography showed bilateral ovarian enlargement with cysts. Laparotomy revealed both ovaries to be enlarged and right ovary showed capsular breach. With a per-operative diagnosis of bilateral malignant ovarian tumor, total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. Multiple sections from both ovaries showed non-invasive micropapillary serous carcinoma with right ovary showing surface growth but no definite capsular breach. The final histological diagnosis was bilateral micropapillary serous carcinoma. The patient has been asymptomatic in 10-month follow-up.

MPSC, classified as serous borderline tumor, needs to be differentiated from APST as well as conventional serous carcinoma. It is diagnosed according to strict criteria laid down. Multiple sections should be studied to exclude invasion. Adequate peritoneal sampling should be performed to look for implants, which is of prognostic significance.