Researchers have discovered that a certain aggressive form of ovarian cancer originates in the fallopian tubes, confirming what many oncologists have believed for years, reports the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
"The hypothesis of fallopian tube origin of high-grade serous ovarian cancer is based primarily on examinations of fallopian tubes surgically removed from women with a genetic predisposition to ovarian cancer," says Dana-Farber’s Ronny Drapkin, MD, PhD, senior author of the new study.
Late detection is one reason why ovarian cancer is notoriously difficult to treat. The American Cancer Society estimates that 22,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with HGSOC [high-grade serious ovarian cancer] each year, and 14,000 die of it. Worldwide, the incidence approaches 200,000 women with 115,000 deaths each year.
This discovery could pave the way for better diagnostics and treatments for this type of cancer, which often has no early detectable symptoms. When the diagnosis is made, the cancer is already at an advanced stage, unfortunately.
"Such studies will help us identify different types of high-grade serous ovarian cancer, as well as possibly discover biomarkers — proteins in the blood — that signal the presence of the disease. Ultimately, the model will enable us to test potential therapies to determine which work best in each type of the disease," said Drapkin.