title: Adenocarcinoma of Mullerian origin: review of pathogenesis, molecular biology, and emerging treatment paradigms.
abstract: Traditionally, epithelial ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancers have been viewed as separate entities with disparate origins, pathogenesis, clinical features, and outcomes. Additionally, previous classification systems for ovarian cancer have proposed two primary histologic groups that encompass the standard histologic subtypes. Recent data suggest that these groupings no longer accurately reflect our knowledge surrounding these cancers. In this review, we propose that epithelial ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal carcinomas represent a spectrum of disease that originates in the Mullerian compartment. We will discuss the incidence, classification, origin, molecular determinants, and pathologic analysis of these cancers that support the conclusion they should be collectively referred to as adenocarcinomas of Mullerian origin. As our understanding of the molecular and pathologic profiling of adenocarcinomas of Mullerian origin advances, we anticipate treatment paradigms will shift towards genomic driven therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA.
authors.forename: Lauren Patterson
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Cobb
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gaillard
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA.
authors.forename: Yihong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA.
authors.forename: Ie-Ming
authors.initials: IeM
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA.
authors.forename: Angeles Alvarez
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Secord
keywords: Adenocarcinoma; Epithelial ovarian carcinoma; Fallopian tube carcinoma; Mullerian origin; Peritoneal carcinoma