Five to 15 percent of epithelial ovarian cancers have a lower potential of becoming malignant (cancerous), known as low malignant potential ovarian tumors. The symptoms are generally the same as with epithelial ovarian cancers, although no significant risk factors have been identified and no association with family history has been found.
Staging is identical to that of epithelial ovarian cancers, and surgery is the first treatment of choice. In patients with Stage I disease, however, surgery that will spare the woman from becoming infertile can be considered. This group of cancers has a more favorable prognosis compared to invasive epithelial ovarian cancer.
