Ovarian cancer: diagnostic, biological and prognostic aspects

Womens Health (Lond). 2014 Sep;10(5):519-33. doi: 10.2217/whe.14.37.

Abstract

Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, owing to late detection, intrinsic and acquired chemoresistance and remarkable heterogeneity. Despite optimization of surgical and chemotherapy protocols and initiation of clinical trials incorporating targeted therapy, only modest gains have been achieved in prolonging survival in this cancer. This review provides an update of recent developments in our understanding of the etiology, origin, diagnosis, progression and treatment of this malignancy, with emphasis on clinically relevant genetic classification approaches. In the authors' opinion, focused effort directed at understanding the molecular make-up of recurrent and metastatic ovarian cancer, while keeping in mind the unique molecular character of each of its histological types, is central to our effort to improve patient outcome in this cancer.

Keywords: chemotherapy resistance; microenvironment; ovarian cancer; prognosis; progression.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / prevention & control
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Women's Health