Which malignant ovarian tumor is most commonly seen in postmenopausal women?

Serous cystadenocarcinoma is the most common malignant ovarian tumor often seen in postmenopausal women. This tumor arises from the epithelial lining of the ovary and is characterized by cystic, fluid-filled lesions that can be bilateral. The peak incidence occurs in women aged 60 to 70 years, which aligns with the postmenopausal demographic.

Histologically, serous cystadenocarcinomas are typically characterized by papillary structures and the presence of significant nuclear atypia, often associated with a more aggressive clinical course than other types of ovarian tumors. They also tend to present at an advanced stage when diagnosed, which contributes to a higher mortality rate.

Germ cell tumors, on the other hand, are more commonly seen in younger women and tend to be less associated with the postmenopausal population. Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma can occur in older women but is less frequent than serous cystadenocarcinoma. Endometrioid carcinoma, while considered a type of epithelial tumor associated with endometriosis, is also less prevalent than serous cystadenocarcinoma in the specified demographic.

Thus, when considering the incidence of malignant ovarian tumors specifically in postmenopausal women, serous cyst