The brenner tumor.A clinicopathologic study of 57 cases

Abstract

An unselected series of 57 cases of Brenner tumor is reported. The tumors occurred at a mean age of 49 years. Most were discovered as incidental findings during surgery for other pelvic disorders. A few Brenner tumors were symptomatic due to their large size, but none were diagnosed preoperatively. The incidence of bilateral tumors was 7%. No malignant Brenner tumors occurred in our series. The Brenner tumor is best considered as a tumor composed of epithelium of urinary tract (urothelial) type. In many cases, the tumor appears to arise in close relationship to the coelomic epithelium of the ovary. The tumor may occur either in the cortex or in the medullary region adjacent to the hilus. In the cortex, it may arise from Walthard nests or coelomic inclusion cysts, and, in the hilus, it may arise from the rete ovarii or mesonephric remnants. The ovarian stroma responds to the epithelial proliferation and forms the stroma of the tumor. The tumor stroma may on occasion produce clinically significant quantities of steroid hormones. This function appears to correlate best with stromal luteinization and a large content of doubly refractile lipid.

Imaging in gynecological disease (7): clinical and ultrasound features of Brenner tumors of the ovary

“…In our series, 14% of patients had postmenopausal bleeding. In the literature, the frequency of abnormal uterine bleeding in pre‐ and postmenopausal women with Brenner tumors varies from 10 to 50%.…”

“…Brenner tumors are surface epithelial–stromal tumors of the ovary, which were first described in detail by Fritz Brenner in 1907. Between 1.1 and 2.5% of all ovarian tumors are thought to be Brenner tumors; about 99% of them are benign. Brenner tumors are usually unilateral, bilateral lesions being found in only 5–14% of cases.…”

“…Benign Brenner tumors can be found in women of any age but are predominantly seen in women aged 30–70 years old. In 1971, Roth and Sternberg first described a borderline Brenner tumor.…”

“…In 1971, Roth and Sternberg first described a borderline Brenner tumor. Women with borderline or malignant Brenner tumors are usually 45–65 years old. Brenner tumors have also been diagnosed in pregnant women.…”

“…Almost all Brenner tumors are asymptomatic and discovered by chance, for example at the time of imaging for an unrelated indication or at surgery. Among patients who are symptomatic, vaginal bleeding (explained by estrogenic activity), pelvic pain or the presence of a palpable pelvic mass is frequently reported. Patients may also present with urinary retention, ascites or Meigs' syndrome.…”