The Many Faces of Serous Neoplasms and Related Lesions of the Female Pelvis: A Review

Abstract

Ovarian serous tumors and related lesions are one of the most common conditions of the female genital tract. While ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma carries high mortality and adverse prognosis, most other serous lesions have better clinical behavior. In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the nature and histogenesis of these lesions that has contributed to better and more precise clinical management. Most of the high-grade serous carcinomas involve the ovaries and/or peritoneum, although in most cases, their origin seems to be in the fallopian tube. This view is supported by the recognition of precursor lesions in the fallopian tube, such as p53 signature and serous tubular in situ carcinoma. This paper presents salient morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular data related to serous tumors and related lesions of the female pelvis and discusses the histogenetic interrelationship among these lesions in light of current knowledge.