Abstract
Ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases. They include fallopian-tube-epithelium (FTE)-derived and ovarian-surface-epithelium (OSE)-derived tumors. The risk/protective factors suggest that the etiology of HGSCs is multifactorial. Inflammation caused by ovulation and retrograde bleeding may play a major role. HGSCs are among the most genetically altered cancers, and TP53 mutations are ubiquitous. Key driving events other than TP53 mutations include homologous recombination (HR) deficiency, such as BRCA 1/2 dysfunction, and activation of the CCNE1 pathway. HR deficiency and the CCNE1 amplification appear to be mutually exclusive. Intratumor heterogeneity resulting from genomic instability can be observed at the early stage of tumorigenesis. In this review, I discuss current carcinogenic hypotheses, sites of origin, etiologic factors, and molecular alterations of HGSCs.
Highlights
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy
Cancer may originate from the transition of stem cells, as the acquisition of multiple mutagenic events can occur in long-lived stem cells that are capable of selfrenewal [31], and stem cells can be found both in the fallopian tube and ovary, in particular in the distal fallopian tube and in the transition area between the OSE, mesothelium, and tubal epithelium [23,32,33]
BRCA2 mutations are exclusively associated with high-grade serous histology, and 25% of ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs) develop in women with these mutations [96]
Summary
Epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases and can be divided into five main types, based on histopathology and molecular genetics [1]: high-grade serous, low-grade serous, endometrioid, clear cell, and mucinous tumors. These tumors may be classified into type. Type II tumors are composed of high-grade serous carcinomas, for the most part [2] This classification conflicts with recent molecular insights into the etiology of EOCs [3], type II tumors that include carcinosarcomas could be classed together. This review discusses the current carcinogenic hypotheses, sites of origin, etiologic factors, and molecular alterations of HGSCs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
