Mucinous carcinomas of the ovary and colorectum: different organ, same dilemma
Dr Linda E Kelemen ScD a d 
,
, Summary
Mucinous
carcinomas are uncommon histological types that affect several organ
sites.
Primary mucinous carcinomas of the ovary are distinct from other
ovarian carcinoma types, but they can pose a particular challenge for
correct diagnosis from metastases, which most usually originate from the
colorectum.
Correct diagnosis is the mainstay of treatment, because
standard practice states that protocols are tailored to the primary
organ site. Little is known of mutational alterations in primary and
metastatic mucinous carcinomas of the ovary, and few markers exist that
can discriminate between them.
We reviewed commonalities between ovarian
and colorectal mucinous carcinomas with respect to aetiology, molecular
alterations, differential diagnosis, and implications for treatment.
Although primary mucinous carcinomas of the ovary and colorectum share
similar mutational patterns and unfavourable outcomes at advanced stage,
compared with their non-mucinous counterparts, important differences
exist with respect to mucin localisation and specific molecular
alterations.
Technologies—eg, next-generation sequencing—could aid
identification of additional driver molecular changes that will help
clarify the relation between mucinous carcinomas from different organ
sites. Perhaps, then, we can consider moving towards testing and
adoption of therapeutic approaches tailored to molecular characteristics
of mucinous carcinomas, irrespective of organ site, so patients'
survival can be optimised.
