Mucinous tumours of the ovary.
Mucinous epithelial ovarian cancers (mEOC) are a relatively rare subset of ovarian cancers. Despite a relatively favourable outcome in early disease, the more frequent advanced presentation is associated with poorer response to platinum/taxane chemotherapies, and poorer survival, compared to serous ovarian cancers. We consider some of the fundamental clinico-pathological and molecular features, and existing clinical trial data regarding mEOC. Underlying molecular differences, between mEOC and serous cancers may contribute to the observed clinical differences, including an increased prevalence of K-RAS mutations in mEOC, more in keeping with gastrointestinal tumours. This observation contributes to the rationale for a trial ("mEOC") investigating the use of "ovarian" versus "gastrointestinal" style chemotherapy. Looking to potential future approaches, we speculate upon the potential impact of emerging technologies on the future investigation and management of mEOC.
Department of Medical Oncology, St James's Institute of Oncology, Beckett Street, Leeds, UK. jay.naik@leedsth.nhs.uk
Jay D
JD
Naik
Jenny
J
Seligmann
Timothy J
TJ
Perren
D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D004358:Drug Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D015996:Survival Rate; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000235:genetics
C117307:KRAS protein, human; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D018631:ras Proteins