The Role of Fallopian Tubes in the Development of Ovarian Cancer

Publication date: Available online 19 December 2016 Source:Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology Author(s): Camila Corzo, Maria D. Iniesta, Maria Guadalupe Patrono, Karen H. Lu, Pedro T. Ramirez Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancy and the fifth cause of cancer death in women in the United States. The most common and lethal histologic subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer is high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), and it generally presents at advanced stage and it may be associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Historically, HGSC was thought to originate from the ovarian epithelial cells. However, more recently, there is growing evidence to support that the vast majority of ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tube epithelium in both high-risk women and in the general population. Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas (STIC) may ultimately evolve into ovarian or peritoneal cancer. As a result, prophylactic salpingectomy with conservation of the ovaries has become an increasingly more common practice for premenopausal women undergoing risk-reducing surgery. Given the fact that the fallopian tube is now recognized as the most common potential site of origin of ovarian carcinoma, there is ongoing research to explore molecular and genetic factors that may be critical in the development of this disease. Further research is needed to identify novel opportunities for early detection and screening of ovarian cancer with the ultimate g...
Source: Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research