Ovary

Germ cell tumors

Carcinoid tumor


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Rulong Shen, M.D.

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PubMed Search: Ovary carcinoid tumors

Rulong Shen, M.D.
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Cite this page: Shen R. Carcinoid tumor. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/ovarytumorcarcinoid.html. Accessed September 22nd, 2023.
Definition / general
  • Ovarian carcinoid neoplasms are rare, < 0.1% of all ovarian carcinomas
  • Primary ovarian carcinoid neoplasms are usually unilateral, localized to the ovary and indistinguishable histologically from metastasis
  • Often arise within a cystic teratoma or dermoid tumor (J Egypt Natl Canc Inst 2016;28:267, J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2000;19:271)
  • Four distinctive types: insular (most common, ~50%), strumal, trabecular and goblet cell (mucinous)
  • Insular carcinoid is the most common type (~ 50%)
Clinical features
  • 1/3 are associated with carcinoid syndrome, more often in tumors > 7 cm and > 50 year old
  • Median survival time is 14 years for primary and 6 years for metastatic (Endocr Pathol 2018;29:43)
Case reports
Treatment
  • Excision
  • Radical hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy may be considered in post-menopausal patients
Gross description
  • Mean 10 cm, yellow, solid cut surface; usually unilateral
Gross images

AFIP images
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Insular tumor

Microscopic (histologic) description
  • Resembles carcinoid tumors elsewhere; nuclear features of neuroendocrine tumor such as salt and pepper chromatin may be helpful but are also seen in follicular cells of strumal carcinoid
  • Patterns are insular (resembles appendix or small bowel tumors), trabecular (resembles stomach or rectal tumors), strumal (below), mucinous
    • All have a gastrointestinal counterpart except strumal carcinoid
    • Mixed primary ovarian carcinoids, such as insular and trabecular or strumal and goblet cell do exist
  • May have abundant fibrous stroma rich vessels
  • Rarely has prominent pleomorphism, mucinous features or signet ring pattern
Microscopic (histologic) images

Contributed by Rulong Shen, M.D.
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Insular carcinoid

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Insular carcinoid

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TTF1


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AE1 / AE3

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CDX2

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Synaptophysin

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Chromogranin

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Inhibin



AFIP images
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Goblet cell carcinoid

Insular tumor

Trabecular tumor

Positive stains
Negative stains
Electron microscopy description
  • Neurosecretory granules
Differential diagnosis
Board review style question #1
    Which of the following indicate poor prognosis of patients with primary ovarian carcinoid?

  1. High Ki67 proliferative index
  2. Metastasis
  3. Tumor confined to the ovary
  4. All of the above
  5. Answers A and B
Board review style answer #1
E. Answers A and B

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Reference: Carcinoid tumor
Board review style question #2
    Which of the following is true for ovarian carcinoid?

  1. Most cases are metastasis
  2. Most cases of primary ovarian carcinoid are associated with cystic teratoma
  3. Ovarian carcinoid can produce carcinoid syndrome
  4. All of the above
Board review style answer #2
D. All of the above

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Reference: Carcinoid tumor
Board review style question #3
    Which of the following is true for ovarian insular carcinoid?

  1. It is the most common type carcinoid of ovary.
  2. The CDX2 can be positive, but negative for CK7, CK20 and TTF1.
  3. Liver metastases are not a requirement for the development of carcinoid syndrome.
  4. Answers A and B
  5. All of the above
Board review style question #3
E. All of the above

Comment Here

Reference: Carcinoid tumor
Board review style question #4
    Seen in the picture is the most common histologic pattern of ovarian carcinoid tumor. Which pattern is it?


  1. Insular
  2. Mucinous
  3. Stromal
  4. Trabecular
Board review style question #4
A. Insular

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Reference: Carcinoid tumor
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