Primary peritoneal serous borderline tumors

Abstract

Context: Primary peritoneal serous borderline tumor is a rare epithelial proliferation that can present as an incidental finding at laparotomy and raises concern for a primary ovarian tumor with peritoneal implants.

Objective: To present a brief history of this condition and describe its distinctive histology and clinical presentation, as well as to review the chief differential diagnostic considerations, to include mesothelial proliferations, endosalpingiosis, endometriosis, high-grade primary peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma, and implants from primary ovarian serous neoplasms.

Data sources: Relevant articles indexed in PubMed (National Library of Medicine) between 1966 and 2005, references thereof, and reference surgical pathology texts.

Conclusions: Primary peritoneal serous borderline tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an epithelial proliferation with prominent psammoma bodies on the peritoneal surface of specimens submitted for nongynecologic complaints.