cystadenocarcinoma cystadenocarcinoma cystadenocarcinoma is a malignant form of a cystadenoma and is a cancer derived from glandular epithelium, in which cystic accumulations of retained secretions are formed. the neoplastic cells manifest varying degrees of anaplasia and invasiveness, and local extension and metastases occur. cystadenocarcinomas develop frequently in the ovaries, where pseudomucinous and serous types are recognized. similar tumor histology has also been reported in the pancreas, although it is a considerably rarer entity representing 1–1.5% of all pancreatic cancer. ovarian cystadenocarcinomaother namescystadenoma carcinomaintermediate magnification micrograph of a low malignant potential (lmp) mucinous ovarian tumour. h&e stain. the micrograph shows: simple mucinous epithelium (right) and mucinous epithelium that pseudo-stratifies (left - diagnostic of a lmp tumour). epithelium in a frond-like architecture is seen at the top of image.specialtygynaecological oncologysymptomsabdominal pain, abdominal swelling/distension, increased abdominal girth, bloating, ascites, nausea, vomitting, unusual bowel and bladder movement, lack of appetite/early satiety, weightloss, fatigue, vaginal bleeding, acid reflux, shortness of breathdifferential diagnosisovarian cyst, uterine fibroid, benign uterine lesions, pelvic abscess, pelvic inflammatory disease, adnexal tumours, endometriosis, distended bladder, impacted faecal matter, tumour of appendix, uterine anomalies, hydro/pyosalpinx, adhesions of bowel or momentum, carcinoma of colon, embryonic adhesions, tracheal cyst, adenocarcinoma of stomach, low-lying caecum, metastasised gastrointestinal carcinoma, ovarian torsion, pelvic kidney, peritoneal cyst, retroperitoneal mass, irritable bowel syndrome.treatmentsurgical debunking surgery with or without chemotherapymedicationcarboplatin, paclitaxel, cisplatin, liposomal doxorubicin, etoposide, topotecan, gemcitabine, docetaxel, vinorelbine, ifosfamide, fluorouracil, melphalan, altretamine, bevacizumab, olaparib, rucaparib, niraparib, mesna. a cystadenocarcinoma contains complex multi-loculated cyst but with exuberant solid areas in places. it usually presents with omental metastases which cause fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity (ascites). cystadenocarcinomas can be classified into serous cystadenocarcinomas and mucinous cystadenomcarcinomas. serous cystadenocarcinomas among the ovarian tumours, serous tumours are most common, having a variegated appearance. bilateral presentation is common with serous cystadenocarcinoma.