ovarian cancer Essay -- essays research papers

Of all gynecological malignancies, ovarian cancer continues to have the spunkyest mortality and is the most difficult to diagnose. In the United States female population, ovarian cancer ranks fifth in irresponsible mortality among cancer related deaths (13,000/yr). In most reported cases, ovarian cancer, when first diagnosed is in exemplifys III or IV in about 60 to 70% of patients which further complicates treatment of the disease (Barber, 3). Early spying in ovarian cancer is hampered by the lack of appropriate neoplasm markers and clinically, most patients fail to develop significant symptoms until they reach advanced stage disease. The characteristics of ovarian cancer have been studied in primary tumours and in established ovarian tumor cell lines which provide a consistent source of tumor material. Among the major clinical problems of ovarian cancer, malignant progression, rapid emergence of drug resistance, and associated cross-resistance remain unresolved. ovarian c ancer has a high frequency of metastasis yet generally remains localized within the peritoneal cavity. Tumor development has been associated with aberrant, dysfunctional expression and/or mutation of heterogeneous genes. This can include oncogene overexpression, amplification or mutation, aberrant tumor suppressor expression or mutation. Also, subversion of host antitumor resistant responses may play a role in the pathogenesis of cancer (Sharp, 77). Ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma was first described by...