BACKGROUND To evaluate the clinical features, the surgical management and outcome of 20 patients with stage-I borderline ovarian tumors. METHODS Twenty cases of FIGO stage-I ovarian tumors, aged from 31 to 58 years (mean 37 years) have been reviewed. All informations of clinical stage, surgical intervention and prognosis were achieved by reviewing hospital records. Minimal requirements for conservative management were adequate staging and complete information about the therapeutic options. Factors important in the choice of the treatment were, age, wish to preserve fertility, histologic type and grade, and the stage of the tumour. RESULTS Eleven of the 20 patients (55%) were at stage IA, 6 cases (30%) were at stage IB, 3 cases (15%) were at stage IC. Thirteen (65%) were with mucinous cystadenoma of borderline malignancy, 7 cases (35%) were of serous type. Thirteen patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH and BSO). Seven patients were treated with unilateral oophorectomy or unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (USO). One patient underwent enucleation of ovarian tumor and biopsy of contralateral ovary. Any patient were treated with chemotherapy after operation. With a median follow up of two years, we observed no recurrence of carcinoma in women treated conservatively or in those treated more radically. CONCLUSIONS Conservative surgery remains a therapeutic option in selected patients with borderline ovarian tumors. Prolonged intensive follow-up is required for women treated conservatively for borderline malignant ovarian tumours.