Ovarian carcinoid tumours are very rare sub type of ovarian tumour. They are usually classified under ovarian germ cell tumours (monodermal teratoma 5). The term carcinoid tumour of the ovary can be used to described primary ovarian carcinoid tumours or metastatic carcinoid tumours to the ovary. The former are comparatively commoner.
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Epidemiology
As a group they are thought to account for 0.3% of all ovarian tumours and 0.5% of carcinoid tumours. They are commonly seen in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women 5.
Pathology
Primary carcinoid tumours of the ovary are divided into four main types:
- insular type: most common and the only type that is associated with the carcinoid syndrome 1
- trabecular type
- strumal type: second commonest type
- mucinous type (goblet cell 4)
Associations
The majority of primary ovarian carcinoids occur in association with mature cystic teratoma, but a considerable number present in pure form.
Radiographic features
General
Primary carcinoids of the ovary are invariably unilateral. They form a solid nodule within a cystic teratoma, or form a pure solid hypervascular mass. They can be indistinguishable from other solid neoplasms of the ovary 5.
Lesions can markedly vary in size. Metastatic carcinoids are nearly always bilateral with scattered tumour deposits present throughout both ovaries.
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