Overview
Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ovary is a rare type of ovarian cancer that develops from cells that produce mucin, a thick, gel-like substance. This cancer forms tumors on one or both ovaries and can grow quite large before causing noticeable symptoms. It accounts for only about 3 to 4 percent of all ovarian cancers, making it relatively uncommon compared to the more frequent serous type of ovarian cancer. Symptoms often develop slowly and can be vague at first. Women may notice bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly when eating, or changes in bowel or bladder habits. Because these symptoms overlap with many common conditions, the cancer is sometimes diagnosed at a later stage. However, compared to other ovarian cancers, mucinous adenocarcinoma is more often found at an early stage (confined to the ovary), which generally carries a better outlook. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the tumor and affected ovary, and in many cases the uterus and other ovary as well. Chemotherapy may be recommended, especially if the cancer has spread beyond the ovary. However, mucinous ovarian cancers tend to respond less well to the standard platinum-based chemotherapy regimens used for other ovarian cancers, which has led researchers to explore alternative treatment approaches, including regimens more commonly used for gastrointestinal cancers. Early-stage disease that is completely removed by surgery has a favorable prognosis, while advanced-stage disease remains more challenging to treat.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Abdominal bloating or swellingPelvic or abdominal painFeeling full quickly when eatingUnexplained weight gain or weight lossChanges in bowel habits such as constipationFrequent or urgent need to urinateFatigue or low energyBack painA noticeable mass or lump in the abdomenIrregular menstrual periodsPain during intercourseLoss of appetiteNausea
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventUniversity of Oklahoma — PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary
No recent news articles for Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my cancer, and has it spread beyond the ovary?,Was the tumor completely removed during surgery, or is there remaining disease?,Do I need chemotherapy, and if so, which regimen do you recommend for mucinous ovarian cancer specifically?,Has my tumor been tested for KRAS mutations, HER2 overexpression, or other markers that could guide treatment?,Should I have genetic counseling or testing for hereditary cancer syndromes?,Are there any clinical trials available for mucinous ovarian cancer that I might be eligible for?,If I am of childbearing age, are there options to preserve my fertility before treatment?
Common questions about Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary
What is Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary?
Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the ovary is a rare type of ovarian cancer that develops from cells that produce mucin, a thick, gel-like substance. This cancer forms tumors on one or both ovaries and can grow quite large before causing noticeable symptoms. It accounts for only about 3 to 4 percent of all ovarian cancers, making it relatively uncommon compared to the more frequent serous type of ovarian cancer. Symptoms often develop slowly and can be vague at first. Women may notice bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly when eating, or changes in bowel or bladder habits. Becaus
How is Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary inherited?
Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary typically begin?
Typical onset of Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary?
18 specialists and care centers treating Mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.