Transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary

Transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Abdominal pain, bloating, pelvic mass
Complications	Metastasis
Onset
Duration
Types
Causes	Unknown
Risks	Age, family history, genetic factors
Diagnosis	Pelvic examination, Ultrasound, CT scan, Biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Other types of ovarian cancer
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Surgery, Chemotherapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary is a rare type of ovarian cancer that resembles urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. It is characterized by the presence of transitional cells, which are similar to the cells lining the urinary tract.

Epidemiology

Transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary is an uncommon malignancy, accounting for less than 2% of all ovarian cancers. It typically occurs in postmenopausal women, with a median age of diagnosis around 60 years.

Pathophysiology

The exact pathogenesis of transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary is not well understood. It is hypothesized that these tumors may arise from surface epithelial-stromal tumors of the ovary, specifically from the Brenner tumor, which contains transitional cell elements. The tumor cells exhibit a transitional or urothelial phenotype, which is distinct from the more common serous carcinoma of the ovary.

Clinical Presentation

Patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary often present with non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and the presence of a pelvic mass. These symptoms are similar to those of other types of ovarian cancer, making early diagnosis challenging.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary involves a combination of clinical evaluation and imaging studies. A pelvic examination may reveal an adnexal mass. Imaging techniques such as ultrasound and CT scan are used to assess the extent of the disease. Definitive diagnosis is made through histopathological examination of a biopsy or surgical specimen, where the presence of transitional cell morphology is confirmed.

Differential Diagnosis

The differential diagnosis for transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary includes other types of ovarian neoplasms, such as:

• Serous carcinoma
• Mucinous carcinoma
• Endometrioid carcinoma
• Clear cell carcinoma

Treatment

The primary treatment for transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary is surgical resection, which may include total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and omentectomy. Chemotherapy is often administered postoperatively, with regimens similar to those used for other epithelial ovarian cancers, such as carboplatin and paclitaxel.

Prognosis

The prognosis for transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary varies depending on the stage at diagnosis and the response to treatment. Early-stage disease has a better prognosis, while advanced-stage disease may have a poorer outcome. Overall, the prognosis is similar to that of other epithelial ovarian cancers.

See also

• Ovarian cancer
• Brenner tumor
• Urothelial carcinoma