Affiliation:
1. 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece & Unit for Endoscopic Surgery, Interbalkan Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece
2. 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Abstract
Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) are a specific subgroup of ovarian tumors and are characterized by cell proliferation and nuclear atypia without invasion or stromal invasion. They are usually more present in younger people than the invasive ovarian cancer and are diagnosed at an early stage and thus have a better prognosis. Histologically, borderline tumors are divided into serous (50%), mucosal (46%), and mixed (4%). The serous tumors are bilateral in 30% of the cases and are accompanied by infiltrations outside the ovary in 35% of the cases. These infiltrations may be non-invasive or invasive depending on their microscopic appearance and may affect treatment. Surgery is the approach of choice, and laparoscopic surgery, with the undeniable advantages it offers today, is the “gold standard.” All the surgical steps required to properly treat borderline tumors, at both diagnostic and therapeutic levels, can be safely and successfully be applied laparoscopically. Manipulations during surgery should be limited, and biopsies for rapid biopsy should be done within an endoscopic bag.