Clear cell borderline ovarian tumor: A retrospective study and literature review

Clear cell borderline ovarian tumor is a rare subtype of borderline ovarian tumor for which the clinicopathological characteristics, management, and prognosis remain unclear. Herein, we describe the clinical features, treatment options, and prognosis of clear cell borderline ovarian tumors.

This was a retrospective study of nine patients with pathologically confirmed clear cell borderline ovarian tumors treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2006 and 2023. Data regarding the patients' clinicopathological features, management, and prognosis were analyzed. We also reviewed previously published studies in English of patients with clear cell borderline ovarian tumors who underwent fertility-sparing surgery.

The median age at diagnosis was 52 years (range, 35-72) and the median tumor size was 6.5 cm (range, 2.7-13). Seven patients had unilateral tumors and two patients had bilateral tumors. Seven patients underwent radical surgery and two patients underwent fertility-preserving surgery. All patients had stage I disease. Pathological analysis revealed synchronous endometriosis or adenomyosis in five patients. Endometrial hyperplasia with atypia was found in two of the seven patients who underwent hysterectomy. During a median follow-up time of 54 months (range, 14-200), only one patient suffered a recurrence, which was treated successfully with secondary surgery.

The prognosis of clear cell borderline ovarian tumors is favorable, and fertility-sparing surgery is acceptable for young patients who may desire future pregnancies. Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is recommended for patients in whom ovarian cystectomy was the initial surgery.