Concurrent Endometrial Intraepithelial Carcinoma (EIC) and Serous Ovarian Cancer: Can EIC Be Seen as the Precursor Lesion?

OBJECTIVE:

The pathogenesis of serous ovarian carcinoma (SOC) is still unknown. Recently, endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC) was proposed to be the precursor lesion of SOC. This study examines the model of EIC as precursor for SOC.

CONCLUSION:

This study provides a first indication of EIC as possible precursor lesion for SOC. This finding could have major clinical implications for future ovarian cancer management and underscores EIC as a possible target for early SOC detection and prevention.

full access: Precursor Lesions of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma: Morphological and Molecular Characteristics

Reuters Health Information (2010-02-02): Simple ovarian cysts not linked to cancer in postmenopausal women

"Women with and without simple cysts were at similar risk of invasive ovarian cancer after nearly 8 years of follow-up evaluation, the authors write. Furthermore, traditional ovarian cancer risk factors, such as increasing age, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, nulliparity, and infertility, were not associated with simple cysts. Finally, changes in average CA-125 were not correlated with increases in the number or progression of simple cysts.Thus, Dr. Greenlee and his group conclude, "Simple cysts are not likely cancer precursors or markers of increased risk and can be followed conservatively.""