The Morphological Basis for the Treatment of Borderline Tumours of the Ovary

Abstract

To many gynaecologists a histopathological diagnosis of “ovarian epithelial tumour of borderline malignancy” is taken as being indicative of indecision on the part of the pathologist as to whether a neoplasm is benign or malignant. If this were indeed the case then the gynaecologist would have legitimate grounds for complaint for little point would be served by elevating pathological uncertainty into a nosological entity. In fact, however, ovarian epithelial tumours of borderline malignancy form, in pathological terms, a well delineated and clearly defined group, the diagnosis of which is a positive one that is based on specific histological findings. There is however, considerable justification for the gynaecological belief that a diagnosis of borderline malignancy hints at uncertainty and irresolution for the term, although recommended by WHO (22), is perhaps not the most suitable and could, possibly with benefit, be replaced by a rather less equivocal name such as “low grade adenocarcinoma”.