Ovarian Carcinogenesis - An Enigma

The time honoured concept that ovarian cancer originates from the ovarian surface epithelium (mesothelium) which then invaginates into the underlying stroma resulting in inclusion cysts that eventually undergo malignant transformation and ovarian cancer spreads from the ovary to the pelvis, abdomen and distant sites has been challenged by the recent studies. Attempts to improve detection of ovarian cancer when it is still confined to ovary and thereby improve survival have miserably failed over the years. The overall survival of women with ovarian cancer is unchanged over the last fifty years. Utilizing the available imaging techniques and the better understanding of ovarian carcinogenesis we will be able to develop newer preventive strategies and screening methods for ovarian cancer. Lot of clinical studies are required to achieve this goal and to reduce the mortality from ovarian cancer.