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MR imaging findings of low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary: comparison with serous borderline tumor

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Abstract

Purpose

To assess MR imaging findings of low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) of the ovary compared with those of serous borderline tumor (SBT).

Methods

Twenty-four patients with histopathologically proven 7 LGSCs and 25 SBTs who underwent preoperative MR imaging were included. We retrospectively reviewed MR images and compared MR findings between the two pathologies.

Results

The predominantly solid lesions were marginally more frequent in LGSCs than in SBTs (43% vs. 8%, p = 0.057). All predominantly cystic LGSCs were multilocular cystic lesions with mural nodules. Predominantly solid LGSCs exhibited pure solid masses in 2 of 3 and solid masses with intratumoral cysts in 1 of 3. Papillary growth pattern with internal branching was observed only in 18 of 25 SBTs. Signal intensity ratio on T2-weighted images (4.48 ± 1.55 vs. 8.40 ± 3.53, p < 0.01) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values (1.12 ± 0.21 vs. 1.73 ± 0.27 × 10−3 mm2/s, p < 0.01) of solid components was significantly lower in LGSCs than in SBTs.

Conclusion

Compared with SBTs, lower signal intensity on T2-weighted images and lower ADC values were characteristic features of solid components in LGSCs. Papillary growth pattern with internal branching was not observed in LGSCs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Gifu University School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan

    Masaya Kawaguchi, Hiroki Kato & Masayuki Matsuo

  2. Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan

    Yuichiro Hatano, Hiroyuki Tomita & Akira Hara

  3. Department of Pathology, Gifu University School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan

    Natsuko Suzui & Tatsuhiko Miyazaki

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gifu University School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan

    Tatsuro Furui & Ken-ichirou Morishige

Authors
  1. Masaya Kawaguchi
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  2. Hiroki Kato
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  3. Yuichiro Hatano
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  4. Hiroyuki Tomita
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  5. Akira Hara
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  6. Natsuko Suzui
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  7. Tatsuhiko Miyazaki
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  8. Tatsuro Furui
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  9. Ken-ichirou Morishige
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  10. Masayuki Matsuo
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Correspondence to Hiroki Kato.

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Kawaguchi, M., Kato, H., Hatano, Y. et al. MR imaging findings of low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary: comparison with serous borderline tumor. Jpn J Radiol 38, 782–789 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-020-00960-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-020-00960-2

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