A 50-year-old woman has an ovarian mass with intracellular mucin displacing the nucleus to produce a signet-ring appearance. Which primary ovarian tumor subtype is most likely?
- A Serous carcinoma
- B Endometrioid carcinoma
- C Mucinous carcinoma ✓
- D Clear cell carcinoma
Correct answer: C. Mucinous carcinoma
Explanation
Signet-ring cells with intracellular mucin are characteristic of mucinous carcinoma. However, a primary ovarian mucinous carcinoma with extensive signet-ring morphology is rare; Krukenberg tumor must be excluded. Serous carcinoma has psammoma bodies and slit-like spaces. Endometrioid carcinoma resembles endometrial cancer with squamous metaplasia. Clear cell carcinoma has clear cytoplasm and hobnail cells.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.