Table 1 Radiological main characteristics of borderline, low-grade and high-grade ovarian serous tumours
From: Low-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer: a comprehensive review and update for radiologists
Serous borderline tumour | Low-grade serous tumour | High-grade serous tumour | |
|---|---|---|---|
Size | > 5 cm | > 5 cm | > 5 cm |
Tumour architecture | Unilocular or multilocular cystic tumours with well-defined margins and papillary projections, seen in 67% of cases; walls/septa with ≤ 3 mm can occur | Multicystic lobulated tumours with solid components, papillary projections and thick walls/septa; calcifications are frequent; necrosis is rare | Mixed cystic-solid or totally solid tumours with irregular contours; areas of cystic change, haemorrhage or necrosis are frequent |
Time-intensity curve | Type 2 | Type 3 | Type 3 |
Peritoneal lesions and lymph node involvement | 30% may have non-invasive peritoneal implants and lymph node involvement | Delayed dissemination through peritoneal metastases is frequent, but is also seen through lymph nodes; calcified psammoma bodies are common | Typically present with diffuse peritoneal metastases and lymph node involvement |
Ascites | 43% of cases have ascites | Not frequently seen | Massive ascites is common |