Section Editor: Kianoosh Keyhanian MD FRCPC
May 24, 2026
The ovaries are two small organs that produce eggs and the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The fallopian tubes are the thin tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries toward the uterus. A wide range of changes can develop in these organs, and many are not cancer. When tissue is removed from an ovary or fallopian tube, a pathologist examines it under a microscope and describes what they see in your pathology report.
This page brings together our guides to conditions found in the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The articles are grouped by type to help you find the one that matches your diagnosis. Select any article below to learn more.
Cancers of the ovary and fallopian tube
These diagnoses are cancers that develop in the ovary or fallopian tube. Several different types can develop here, and they vary in how they grow and respond to treatment. The articles explain how each type is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
High grade serous carcinoma is the most common type of ovarian cancer. Many of these cancers actually begin in the fallopian tube. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions high grade serous carcinoma of the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum.
Low grade serous carcinoma is a slow-growing type of ovarian cancer. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your pathology report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions low grade serous carcinoma of the ovary.
Clear cell carcinoma is a type of ovarian cancer that is sometimes linked to endometriosis. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions clear cell carcinoma of the ovary.
Endometrioid carcinoma is a type of ovarian cancer that can be linked to endometriosis. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary.
Mucinous carcinoma is a type of ovarian cancer made of cells that produce mucus. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions mucinous carcinoma of the ovary.
Undifferentiated carcinoma is a fast-growing ovarian cancer in which the cells look very abnormal and do not resemble a specific type. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions undifferentiated carcinoma of the ovary.
A malignant Brenner tumor is a rare cancerous type of Brenner tumor, a group of ovarian tumors that develop from a special type of lining cell. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a malignant Brenner tumor of the ovary.
An immature teratoma is a cancerous germ cell tumor of the ovary that contains early, immature-looking tissue. It is most common in girls and young women. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an immature teratoma of the ovary.
Adult type granulosa cell tumor
An adult type granulosa cell tumor is a slow-growing cancer that develops from the hormone-producing cells of the ovary. This article explains what this diagnosis means and what your report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an adult type granulosa cell tumor of the ovary.
Juvenile type granulosa cell tumor
A juvenile type granulosa cell tumor is an uncommon ovarian tumor that develops from hormone-producing cells. It mostly affects children and young women and usually has a good outlook. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a juvenile type granulosa cell tumor of the ovary.
Borderline tumors
Borderline tumors fall between clearly noncancerous tumors and cancers. They grow in unusual ways but do not invade in the way a cancer does, and most have an excellent outlook after surgery. The articles explain what each diagnosis means.
A serous borderline tumor is an ovarian tumor that falls between a noncancerous tumor and a cancer. It is not invasive cancer and usually has an excellent outlook. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a serous borderline tumor of the ovary.
A mucinous borderline tumor is an ovarian tumor made of mucus-producing cells that falls between a noncancerous tumor and a cancer. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a mucinous borderline tumor of the ovary.
An endometrioid borderline tumor is an ovarian tumor that falls between a noncancerous tumor and a cancer. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an endometrioid borderline tumor of the ovary.
A borderline Brenner tumor is an uncommon type of Brenner tumor that falls between a noncancerous tumor and a cancer. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a borderline Brenner tumor of the ovary.
Precancerous changes
This diagnosis describes a precancerous change in the lining of the fallopian tube. It is not invasive cancer, but it is considered the earliest step in the development of some ovarian and fallopian tube cancers. The article explains what this diagnosis means.
Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma
Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma is a precancerous change in the lining of the fallopian tube. It is not invasive cancer, but it is considered the earliest step toward high grade serous carcinoma. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma or STIC.
Noncancerous tumors
These diagnoses are noncancerous tumors of the ovary. They do not spread to other parts of the body, although they are often removed with surgery. The articles explain what each diagnosis means.
A serous cystadenoma is a common, noncancerous ovarian tumor that forms a fluid-filled cyst. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a serous cystadenoma of the ovary.
A mucinous cystadenoma is a common, noncancerous ovarian tumor that forms a cyst filled with mucus. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a mucinous cystadenoma of the ovary.
A mucinous cystadenofibroma is a noncancerous ovarian tumor that contains both mucus-filled cysts and firm, fibrous tissue. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a mucinous cystadenofibroma of the ovary.
A benign Brenner tumor is a common, noncancerous ovarian tumor. It is often small and found by chance. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a benign Brenner tumor of the ovary.
A mature cystic teratoma, often called a dermoid cyst, is a common, noncancerous ovarian tumor that can contain tissues such as skin, hair, and teeth. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a mature cystic teratoma or a dermoid cyst of the ovary.
Struma ovarii is an uncommon, noncancerous ovarian tumor made mostly of thyroid tissue. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions struma ovarii.
Sex cord-stromal tumor is a general name for a group of ovarian tumors that develop from the ovary’s supporting and hormone-producing tissue. They range from noncancerous to cancerous. This article gives an overview of this group of tumors.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a sex cord-stromal tumor, or you want a general overview of this group of ovarian tumors.
An ovarian fibroma is a common, noncancerous ovarian tumor made of fibrous tissue. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an ovarian fibroma.
A cellular fibroma is a noncancerous ovarian tumor made of fibrous tissue with a higher number of cells than an ordinary fibroma. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a cellular fibroma of the ovary.
Mitotically active cellular fibroma
A mitotically active cellular fibroma is a noncancerous ovarian tumor. Its cells are dividing more than usual, but it does not behave like a cancer. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a mitotically active cellular fibroma of the ovary.
A thecoma is a noncancerous ovarian tumor that often produces hormones. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a thecoma of the ovary.
A fibrothecoma is a noncancerous ovarian tumor with features of both a fibroma and a thecoma. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a fibrothecoma of the ovary.
Noncancerous cysts and conditions
These diagnoses are not cancer and are not tumors. They include common cysts and other changes of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, many of which are found by chance. The articles explain what each diagnosis means.
A follicle cyst is a common, noncancerous cyst that forms from the normal structures that release eggs each month. This article explains what this diagnosis means, including the related finding called a cystic follicle.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a follicle cyst or a cystic follicle of the ovary.
A corpus luteum cyst is a common, noncancerous cyst that forms after an egg is released from the ovary. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a corpus luteum cyst.
A cortical inclusion cyst is a very common, small, noncancerous cyst found in the outer part of the ovary. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a cortical inclusion cyst of the ovary.
A paratubal cyst is a common, noncancerous cyst that forms next to the fallopian tube. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a paratubal cyst, or a paraovarian cyst.
Hydrosalpinx is a noncancerous condition in which a fallopian tube becomes blocked and filled with fluid. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions hydrosalpinx, or a blocked, fluid-filled fallopian tube.
Periovarian adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form around the ovary. They are not cancer. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions periovarian adhesions, or scar tissue around the ovary.
Atrophy of the ovary means the ovary has become small and less active. It is a normal change after menopause. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions atrophy of the ovary.
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