title: Risk assessment for epithelial ovarian cancer: proposing a new approach to a deadly problem.
abstract: Presently the majority of women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) have advanced stage disease (III-IV) with a poor 5-year survival rate (12-30 %). This significantly contrasts when early stage disease is detected, which has a 5-year survival rate approximating 90 %. Therefore, detection of early stage disease is critical to making an impact on outcome. By using genetic algorithms, modifications of transvaginal ultrasonography and use of novel biomarkers, we propose a risk assessment profile to identify at-risk women and enable ovarian cancer screening to become a reality. Such a novel algorithm starts by applying classic genetic pedigree assessment and uses a panel of multiple biomarkers that identify both phenotypic and genotypic expression of high-risk markers followed with conventional ultrasound and advanced ultrasound techniques such as microvascular contrast-enhancement as a secondary test. We presently employ a multidisciplinary program incorporating genetics, molecular biology, tumor immunology, gynecologic oncology and diagnostic imaging to identify asymptomatic high risk women.
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Mary M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fishman
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Genetic algorithms; modified transvaginal ultrasonography