CHARACTERISTICS OF BENIGN AND BORDERLINE OVARIAN TUMORS IN PATIENTS WITH OBESITY

  2. 2026
  3. CHARACTERISTICS OF BENIGN AND BORDERLINE OVARIAN TUMORS IN PATIENTS WITH OBESITY

Zub О. V., Lazurenko V. V., Myroshnychenko M. S., Safonov R. A., Tertyshnyk D. Yu., Liashchenko O. A., Ushatova Y. O.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BENIGN AND BORDERLINE OVARIAN TUMORS IN PATIENTS WITH OBESITY

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About the author:

Zub О. V., Lazurenko V. V., Myroshnychenko M. S., Safonov R. A., Tertyshnyk D. Yu., Liashchenko O. A., Ushatova Y. O.

Heading:

PATHOMORPHOLOGY

Type of article:

Scientific article

Annotation:

Benign ovarian tumors (benign OTs) are a group of diseases characterized by impaired proliferation and differentiation of ovarian cells and, consequently, excessive tissue growth leading to tumor formation. They are a relatively common pathology, with their incidence steadily increasing over the past 10–15 years from 6–11% to 19–25% of all genital tumors and accounting for 75–80% of all ovarian tumors. Histological examination of resected ovarian tumors (OTs) is the “gold standard” for definitive confirmation of the diagnosis and determination of tumor type (benign, malignant, or borderline ovarian tumor [BOT]). It also allows assessment of the degree of cellular differentiation and the potential aggressiveness of the pathological process. The aim of the study was to determine the histopathological characteristics of benign and borderline ovarian tumors in patients with obesity. To achieve this aim, histological and immunohistochemical examinations of ovarian tumors obtained from 109 patients were performed, of whom 61 (55.96%) had obesity. Among the 109 patients examined, benign OTs were diagnosed in 84 (77.1%), including 49 (58.3%) patients with obesity; BOTs were observed in 25 (22.9%) patients, including 12 (48%) with obesity. Serous ovarian tumors were identified in 64 (58.7%) patients and mucinous tumors in 45 (41.3%). Among benign OTs, 52 (47.7%) were serous and 32 (29.4%) were mucinous; among BOTs, 12 (11%) were serous and 13 (11.9%) were mucinous OTs. Microscopically, serous cystadenomas were characterized by the presence of cavities surrounded by a dense connective tissue capsule, the inner surface of which was lined by an epithelial layer composed of columnar ciliated cells, large clear granular cells, tall cells with elongated nuclei, and flattened cells. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated expression of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against CA125 in the parenchymal component of ovarian cystadenomas, as well as expression of polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) against leptin. Compared with benign OTs, serous BOTs were characterized by a reduced stromal component and an increased epithelial component. Glands and complex hierarchical, tree-like branching papillae were visualized within the examined tumors. The epithelial component of serous BOTs demonstrated expression of mAbs against CA125. Stromal vessels showed expression of mAbs against CD34. Mucinous cystadenomas in both groups were characterized by the presence of glands and cysts lined with columnar, goblet, and ciliated cells, as well as enterochromaffin-like cells. Immunohistochemical examination showed that the epithelial component of cystadenomas in patients without obesity did not demonstrate expression of mAbs against CA125; however, focal weak expression of the investigated mAb was observed in three patients with obesity. In mucinous BOTs, the epithelium lining cavities of various sizes occasionally formed papillary projections with connective tissue cores. In patients with obesity, the epithelium was characterized by increased proliferative and mitotic activity, stratification with the formation of multiple cell layers, and focal moderate signs of nuclear and cellular atypia. No evidence of invasive growth into the surrounding tissues was identified. Immunohistochemical examination showed that endothelial cells of stromal vessels in ovarian mucinous cystadenomas expressed mAbs against CD34. In ovarian mucinous cystadenomas, the immunohistochemical reaction with pAbs against leptin was positive in patients with obesity and negative in patients with normal body weight. Thus, the distinctive features of the tumors examined in patients with obesity included pronounced proliferative activity of the epithelium with the formation of papillary structures, a greater degree of cellular and nuclear atypia, increased mitotic activity, and expression of mAbs against CA125 and pAbs against leptin in the parenchymal component. The stromal component was characterized by increased vascularity, pronounced polymorphous inflammatory cell infiltration, and a higher degree of pAb expression against leptin.

Tags:

benign ovarian tumors, borderline ovarian tumors, histological examination, immunohistochemical examination, obesity

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Publication of the article:

«Bulletin of problems biology and medicine», 2026 Issue 3, 182, 429-437 pages, index UDC 618.11-006-06:616-056.52]-021.321

DOI:

10.29254/2077-4214-2026-3-182-429-437

2026 Issue 3, 182
benign ovarian tumors borderline ovarian tumors histological examination immunohistochemical examination obesity
29.09.2026
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