biostudies-literatureMeagher NSPeter MacCallum FoundationNational Health and Medical Research Council9-25https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11985703biostudies-literatureUnknown266(1)Mucinous ovarian carcinoma (MOC) is a rare histotype of epithelial ovarian cancer. Its origins are obscure: while many mucinous tumours in the ovary are metastases from the gastrointestinal tract, MOC can occur as an ovarian primary; however, the cell of origin is not well established. In this review we summarise the pathological, epidemiological, and molecular evidence for the cellular origins of MOC. We propose a model for the origins of the various tumours of the ovary with mucinous differentiation. We distinguish Müllerian from gastrointestinal-type mucinous differentiation. A small proportion of the latter arise from teratoma and a distinct terminology has been proposed. Other gastrointestinal mucinous tumours are associated with Brenner tumours and arise from their associated benign The Journal of pathologyCellular origins of mucinous ovarian carcinoma.PMC11985703GNT1173346GNT2009840GNT2002943Kobel MKarnezis ANAnglesio MSGorringe KLWebb PMGayther SAMeagher NSRamus SJPharoah PPTalhouk ABerchuck AfalseCellular origins of mucinous ovarian carcinoma.Mucinous ovarian carcinoma (MOC) is a rare histotype of epithelial ovarian cancer. Its origins are obscure: while many mucinous tumours in the ovary are metastases from the gastrointestinal tract, MOC can occur as an ovarian primary; however, the cell of origin is not well established. In this review we summarise the pathological, epidemiological, and molecular evidence for the cellular origins of MOC. We propose a model for the origins of the various tumours of the ovary with mucinous differentiation. We distinguish Müllerian from gastrointestinal-type mucinous differentiation. A small proportion of the latter arise from teratoma and a distinct terminology has been proposed. Other gastrointestinal mucinous tumours are associated with Brenner tumours and arise from their associated benign 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 May2026-06-01T13:10:07.8Z2025-07-12T03:04:26.336ZS-EPMC119857034002866910.1002/path.6407