Brenner tumor

Brenner tumor
Specialty	Oncology, Gynecology
Symptoms	Often asymptomatic, may cause abdominal pain or swelling
Complications	Rarely malignant
Types	Benign, Borderline, Malignant
Causes	Unknown
Diagnostic method	Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, Histopathology
Treatment	Surgical removal
Prognosis	Excellent for benign tumors
Frequency	Rare

A Brenner tumor is a rare type of ovarian tumor that is typically benign. It is named after the German pathologist Fritz Brenner, who first described the tumor in 1907. Brenner tumors are part of the surface epithelial-stromal tumor group of ovarian neoplasms.

Pathophysiology

Brenner tumors are characterized by the presence of transitional cell epithelium similar to that of the urinary tract. They are often solid and firm, and can vary in size. Histologically, they are composed of nests of transitional epithelial cells surrounded by dense fibrous stroma.

Clinical Presentation

Most Brenner tumors are asymptomatic and are often discovered incidentally during imaging for other conditions. When symptoms do occur, they may include abdominal pain, bloating, or a palpable mass. Rarely, Brenner tumors can be associated with Meigs' syndrome, which includes ascites and pleural effusion.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a Brenner tumor typically involves imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. These tumors often appear as solid masses on imaging. Definitive diagnosis is made through histopathological examination after surgical removal.

Treatment

The primary treatment for Brenner tumors is surgical removal. This is usually sufficient, as the majority of Brenner tumors are benign. In rare cases where the tumor is malignant, additional treatment such as chemotherapy may be required.

Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with benign Brenner tumors is excellent, as these tumors do not typically recur after removal. Malignant Brenner tumors are rare and have a more guarded prognosis, depending on the stage and extent of the disease.

Epidemiology

Brenner tumors are rare, accounting for approximately 1-2% of all ovarian tumors. They are most commonly diagnosed in women in their 50s and 60s.

Also see

• Ovarian cancer
• Surface epithelial-stromal tumor
• Meigs' syndrome
• Histopathology