Management of ovarian neoplasms of low malignant potential

Ovarian epithelial carcinomas of low malignant potential occur at an earlier age and in an earlier stage than invasive ovarian carcinomas. A thorough knowledge of the histologic characteristics and adequate sampling are vital to making a correct diagnosis. Surgical resection alone is the treatment for Stage I disease, which accounts for 66% of all patients with this disease. Treatment of later stages is controversial, but surgical resection alone may also be adequate therapy for most patients with a more advanced stage. There is a small subpopulation of patients who die with a tumor of low malignant potential that, for poorly understood reasons, progresses.