title: Molecular genetics and epidemiology of epithelial ovarian cancer (Review).
abstract: This review summarizes data from recent molecular genetic and epidemiology             studies of the generic term 'female pelvic cancer'. The English-language literature             was reviewed for genetic, epigenetic, epidemiologic and environmental risk factors.             There are well-documented disparities among racial and ethnic groups with respect             to epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) prevalence. In the case of the serous histological             subtype, primary EOC, fallopian tube cancer and peritoneal cancer could be regarded             as a single disease entity. However, EOC is not a single disease. Comparing the             profile of EOC between Japanese and Caucasians, clear cell carcinomas (27.6%)             are more common in Japan, possibly with fewer serous adenocarcinomas (40.7%).             This may reflect a proportional increase. The Japanese may exhibit a higher proportion             of malignant transformation of endometriosis compared to the United States population.             Although some part of the molecular genetic pathogenesis has been unveiled, the             complete events of molecular genetic epidemiological changes associated with EOC             remain to be identified. This review focuses on current knowledge of the genetic             and environmental factors affecting the development of EOC, and outlines future             challenges in its pathogenesis research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University,                     Nara 634-8522, Japan.
authors.forename: Shoji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haruta
authors.forename: Naoto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Furukawa
authors.forename: Yoriko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshizawa
authors.forename: Taihei
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsunemi
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: Ryuji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kawaguchi
authors.forename: Yasuhito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanase
authors.forename: Shozo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D052138:Genes, Neoplasm; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors