Mucinous tumors are cystic neoplasms filled with mucin and lined with atypical epithelial cells. They can be benign or malignant and are commonly found in the appendix, colon, ovaries, and pancreas. Benign mucinous ovarian tumors are common in childbearing women, while malignant tumors are common in women in their 30s and 60s. Pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma accounts for 45% of pancreatic tumors. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms are often found in the pancreatic head and affect individuals in their 70s and 80s.
A mucinous tumor is a cystic neoplasm filled with mucus-like material called mucin and lined with atypical epithelial cells. It can be a benign mucinous cystadenoma or a malignant mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Benign mucinous tumors often have several cystic lobes lined with a smooth lining of epithelium. Malignant mucinous tumors often have solid areas and papillae with cell atypia and stratification, tissue architecture abnormalities, and necrosis. The cells of mucinous tumors resemble endocervical or intestinal cells.
Mucinous cystadenoma accounts for the majority of mucinous tumors and is commonly associated with appendiceal, colon, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. In colon and appendiceal mucinous tumors, benign mucinous cystadenoma has the same gross appearance as malignant mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and can be differentiated only by histopathologic examination. Approximately 15-25% of all ovarian neoplasms are ovarian mucinous tumors and approximately 6-10% of ovarian mucinous tumors are malignant. Mucinous tumors in the pancreas are also quite common.
Benign mucinous ovarian tumors are commonly found in women of childbearing age, while malignant mucinous ovarian tumors are commonly found in women in their 30s and 60s. An ovarian mucinous tumor is usually unilateral, and bilateral involvement with a mucinous tumor requires further examination. About 5% of bilateral ovarian mucinous tumors are benign, while about 10-20% of bilateral ovarian mucinous tumors are malignant.
About two-thirds of cases of mucinous tumor formation are found in the tail or body of the pancreas. These are commonly seen in perimenopausal women. They are slow-growing tumors in which affected individuals usually do not experience pain. Pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma accounts for 45% of pancreatic tumors, and intraductal papillary mucinous adenoma accounts for 32%. There are also borderline and malignant pancreatic mucinous tumors, but these are less common.
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms are intraductal mucin-producing neoplasms that often involve the pancreatic head. Medical professionals believe these are commonly found in more men than women, but recent studies indicate a trend of equal distribution between the sexes. Affected individuals are usually in their 70s and 80s and have recurrent abdominal pain or pancreatitis. The lack of tissue invasion distinguishes benign intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms from malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. Compared to mucinous cystic neoplasms, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms lack the dense ovarian stroma and also involve the pancreatic duct.
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