Clinical aspects of ovarian tumors of low malignant potential

A review of 21 cases of ovarian tumors of low-malignant potential diagnosed in our department over a period of 13 years was undertaken. Ninety percent of the patients presented with stage I disease. The average age at diagnosis (45 years) was younger than commonly found in patients with invasive epithelial cancer. Three patients received postoperative chemotherapy, and all of those were evaluated by second-look laparotomy. One of our patients with stage Ic serous tumor recurred with lung metastases. In two other patients with mucinous tumors, mucocele of the appendix was found. The five year survival in this series was 100%. Our study emphasizes the need for a prospective study to evaluate the value of adjuvant therapy in the various stages of these ovarian neoplasms.