Borderline ovarian tumors [Borderline-Tumoren des Ovars]

Borderline ovarian tumors (tumors of low malignant potential, LMP tumors) have the appearance of malignancy without an invasive growth. Nevertheless, they can present with microinvasion as well as noninvasive and invasive peritoneal and lymphatic implants. The serous and mucinous histological subtypes account for 95 % of all tumors. In general, the surgical treatment of borderline tumors is the same as that of invasive cancers. However, patients do no benefit from a lymphadenectomy, a hysterectomy, or an adjuvant systemic therapy. Fertility-conserving surgery raises the risk of relapse. The quality of the surgical staging, which can be performed via laparotomy or laparoscopy, is an important and independent prognostic factor. Borderline tumors have a far better prognosis than invasive cancers do. © 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.