Brenner tumor of ovary

The cause of benign and malignant Brenner tumors is not known. About 30% of the time, benign Brenner tumors are found along with ovarian cancer. Women who have any type of ovarian cancer, including a malignant Brenner tumor, may want to ask their health care professional about genetic counseling because ovarian cancer is sometimes associated with a gene mutation that can be inherited in families.

Approximately 90% of Brenner tumors of the ovary are first discovered by chance during surgery, a routine pelvic exam or an ultrasound. Brenner tumors are ultimately diagnosed by a surgical biopsy. Brenner tumors have specific microscopic findings that help guide diagnosis. Blood test for specific tumor markers may also be helpful.

Treatment of a Brenner tumor of the ovary includes surgery to remove the tumor. The age of the patient may help to determine the extent of the operation. For instance, women who have yet to go through menopause would immediately begin to experience menopause if both ovaries are removed. The ovaries produce hormones that regulate a woman's menstrual cycle; it is the loss of these hormones, either naturally or by the removal of the ovaries, that causes the signs and symptoms of menopause. Women who take low doses of hormone replacement drugs after surgery up until the age of 50 may reduce the chance of having the symptoms typically associated with menopause. But hormone replacement therapy has risks of its own. It is recommended that women who are thinking about taking hormone replacement therapy discuss the benefits and limitations of this therapy with their personal physicians.

The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research provides further information on ovary removal surgery at the following link:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/oophorectomy/MY00554/METHOD=print

Most Brenner tumors of the ovary are benign and do not spread into surrounding tissues. Approximately 1-2% of these tumors can become malignant and may spread into surrounding tissues or to more distant parts of the body.

Brenner tumor of the ovary is a solid, abnormal growth (tumor) on the ovary. Most Brenner tumors are not cancerous (benign). About 5% of Brenner tumors are cancerous (malignant) or have a small chance of spreading beyond its original location (borderline). These tumors most often occur in women after menopause. They usually do not cause symptoms unless they are very large. When symptoms are present, they may include abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding. The cause of Brenner tumors is unknown. They are usually found by accident during surgery for another reason or during a routine doctor's examination. The diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of a piece of tumor obtained by a surgical biopsy. Treatment usually consists of surgery to remove the tumor. If a Brenner tumor has not spread into surrounding tissues or to more distant parts of the body, there is a good-to-excellent long-term outcome.

For individuals with non-cancerous Brenner tumors, and no other findings, there is a good to excellent long-term outlook. While Brenner tumors usually don't recur, one study showed that in about 28% of cases, the tumor comes back after it is removed.

The long-term outlook for individuals with cancerous or borderline Brenner tumors depends on the stage of the cancer when it is diagnosed and if the cancer has spread beyond the ovary. In general, the earlier the tumor is diagnosed and the less it has spread, the better the outcome.

The exact number of people who develop Brenner tumors is not known. However, they are considered rare and account for only 1-3% of all ovarian tumors. Over 95% of Brenner tumors are benign.

Treatment of Brenner tumors of the ovary usually consists of surgery to remove the tumor. If the tumor is found to be cancerous, it may be necessary to do more extensive surgery, including removing both ovaries, fallopian tubes and the uterus (total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy), followed by chemotherapy or radiation. The age of the woman and whether she has a hereditary cancer syndrome may be factors in deciding the best course of treatment. For women who are past the age of menopause, it is recommended that both ovaries, fallopian tubes and the uterus be removed. Younger women may want to consider less surgery to help preserve fertility and keep one working ovary. Additional treatment may depend on the stage of the cancer and the extent it has spread beyond the ovary.