Which histological criterion separates a borderline (low malignant potential) serous tumour of the ovary from a well-differentiated invasive serous carcinoma?

• A Presence of psammoma bodies
• B Presence of epithelial proliferation without destructive stromal invasion ✓
• C Degree of nuclear pleomorphism alone
• D Elevated serum CA-125 above 200 U/mL

Explanation

Borderline serous tumours show stratified atypical epithelium and papillary tufting but lack destructive invasion of the underlying ovarian stroma; this absence of stromal invasion is the single defining criterion. Psammoma bodies occur in both borderline and invasive serous tumours and carry no discriminating value. Nuclear atypia exists in both, and CA-125 can be modestly raised in borderline tumours, so serological levels cannot separate the two entities.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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