Brenner Tumor

A Brenner tumor (BT) is a rare ovarian tumor. Most cases are noncancerous (benign). They most commonly affect women in their 50s to 70s. But they can develop at any age.

Because these tumors are rare, scientists are still learning about them. This includes how best to diagnose and treat them.

Types

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Brenner tumors (BTs) into three types based on how the cells look under a microscope. They include:

• Benign: This type is noncancerous. Benign BTs are usually less than 2 centimeters (cm) in size. They’re the most common BT.
• Borderline: This type has features of both benign and malignant BTs. It has the potential to turn into cancer. On average, borderline BTs are about 12 cm in size.
• Malignant: This type is cancerous. It’s very rare. Less than 5% of all BT cases are malignant. They’re typically around 10 cm in size.

Symptoms of a Brenner tumor

Most Brenner tumors don’t cause symptoms. Healthcare providers typically find them by chance when you get imaging tests for other reasons.

But BT symptoms can include:

• A buildup of fluid in your abdomen (ascites)
• A mass in your pelvis
• Fullness, pain or pressure in your abdomen

These symptoms may have many other causes. It’s important to see a healthcare provider so they can find the problem.

Brenner tumor causes

Researchers don’t know the exact cause of Brenner tumors. In general, tumors form when cells grow uncontrollably. With BTs, researchers think this happens in small groups of cells near your fallopian tubes and ovaries called Walthard cell nests.

Loss of function of CDKN2A, a tumor suppressor gene, may cause benign BTs to turn into borderline BTs.

How doctors diagnose this condition

In most cases, healthcare providers find a Brenner tumor by chance when you get imaging tests of your pelvis for other reasons.

If you have symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend tests like:

• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• MRI

To diagnose the type of Brenner tumor, you’ll need to have it surgically removed. Your surgeon will then send samples to a lab. A pathologist will look at the cells under a microscope to determine the type.

How is it treated?

Surgery is the main form of treatment for all types of Brenner tumors. Your surgeon will remove all or part of the tumor. Removing it usually resolves any symptoms. It’s also necessary to determine the type of tumor.

If the tumor is malignant, you may need other treatments. This may include chemotherapy or radiation, for example. Malignant BTs are very rare. So, healthcare providers don’t have a standardized treatment plan for them. Your healthcare team will walk you through your options.