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Review
. 2022 Jan 19;19(3):1106.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031106.

Non-Epithelial Ovarian Cancers: How Much Do We Really Know?

Alison Cheung  1 , Sidrah Shah  2 , Jack Parker  1 , Pavandeep Soor  1 , Anu Limbu  1 , Matin Sheriff  3 , Stergios Boussios  1   4   5
Affiliations
Review

Non-Epithelial Ovarian Cancers: How Much Do We Really Know?

Alison Cheung et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Non-epithelial ovarian cancers (NEOC) are a group of uncommon malignancies that mainly includes germ cell tumours (GCT), sex cord-stromal tumours (SCST), and some extremely rare tumours, such as small cell carcinomas and sarcomas. Each of these classifications encompasses multiple histologic subtypes. The aetiology and molecular origins of each sub-group of NEOC require further investigation, and our understanding on the genetic changes should be optimised. In this article, we provide an update on the clinical presentation, pathology, genetics, treatment and survival of the main histological subtypes of the GCT and the SCST, as well as of ovarian small cell carcinomas. We also discuss miRNA expression profiles of NEOC and report the currently active clinical trials that include NEOC.

Keywords: clinical trials; germ cell tumours; sex cord-stromal tumours; small cell carcinomas of the ovary.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Reticular and microcystic (reticulocystic) patterns (A). Characteristic meshwork of spaces merging with cysts of varying sizes and shapes (B).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Festoon pattern with arching drape-like configurations.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Solid pattern. Large focally coalescent aggregates are seen (A). Note typical abundant pale to clear cytoplasm and nuclei that are smaller than those of dysgerminoma (B).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Papillary pattern. Occasionally the characteristic papillae radiated, like the spokes of a wheel, from a large dilated vessel.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Myxoid appearance. Myxoid matrix occupying much of the stroma (A) and similar material within cyst lumens (B).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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