New Study Indicates Ovarian Cancer Originates in Fallopian Tubes

[joann86]

"Most -- and possibly all -- ovarian cancers start, not in ovaries, but instead in the fallopian tubes attached to them.

This is the finding of a multicenter study of ovarian cancer genetics led by researchers from Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health, and published online Oct. 17 in Nature Communications.

Based on a better understanding of its origins, our study suggests new strategies for the prevention and early detection of ovarian cancer," says senior study author Douglas A. Levine, MD, director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Perlmutter and professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU School of Medicine.

The results revolve around the fallopian tubes, which enable egg cells that have the potential to be fertilized and become embryos -- to pass from the ovaries where they are made to the uterus. The new study found that ovarian cancer cells have more in common with cells covering the tips of fallopian tubes than with those on the surface of ovaries.

If biomarkers can be found for these tubal cells, say the authors, future blood tests, advanced Pap smears, or direct tests on tubal tissue might be able to detect ovarian cancer earlier. The research team plans to conduct studies that will seek to apply the current molecular biology findings to clinical practice, but Levine says it may take years to prove that this approach detects ovarian cancer earlier, prevents its spread, or extends survival in patients with this disease."

Read the full article here: bit.ly/2yKhibv

Dr. Douglas Levine, one of the principal authors of the study, recently did a presentation with SHARE raising some of the points in the article. You can view the video of his presentation here:

vimeo.com/239027905

Thoughts?

[miyoshi]

I've been told by my onc gyn that uterine cancer probably starts in the fallopian tubes, as well.

[kristinaapril]

I believe there was a similar study done late last year/early this year that said the same thing.

My mom got diagnosed with Stage 3C OC prior to debulking. During debulking, they found her primary was fallopian tube as well (high grade, serous adenocarcinoma). For all intense purposes, at least from the oncology team, it's still referred to by ovarian cancer.

It's a bit of an interesting discovery as my mom had tubal ligation, and I often wonder if that contributed to the cancer.

Since I am affected by the cancer, I wish they would put just as much time in figuring out treatment options as preventative measures; but who doesn't.

It is nice to see some teal coverage in October (I am sick of the pink, LOL!).

x Kris

[miyoshi in reply to kristinaapril]

I'm going to the National Race to End Womens Cancer Nov 4-5 in Washington DC, they are using purple... there's a survivor's course I'm looking froward to. I was Stage IVb 12/2014 and am going through treatment for recurrence.

[GwenHP]

The lead sentence is a bit misleading because the study wasn't on all types of ovarian cancer. The focus was on serous high grade ovarian cancer. Dr. Levine's presentation in one of the links above talks about some of the really exciting research (though not ready for prime time) and some of the implications. I encourage people to watch it.

Several years ago, the evidence started mounting showing that at least 50% of us with high grade serous may have had our cancers actually start in the Fallopian tubes. Some of you who attended the 2011 OCNA conference may remember the opening presentation by Dr. Sieden where he did an impression of Fallopian tube fimbria as he was describing how ovarian cancer could arise from the Fallopian tubes.