Health

Certain ovarian tumors might not show cancer, could create therapies

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 5, 2005

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

A new study suggests that ovarian tumors classified as serous borderline or low malignant potential, or LMP, are not early precursors in the development of aggressive ovarian cancer but may be part of an entirely different class of tumors.

Also, genes that were identified in the study as being expressed, or active, in these different classes of tumors could help identify targets for more specific diagnostics and therapies to treat the disease. The study appears in the Nov. 15 Cancer Research.

LMP is different than serous high-grade ovarian tumors, which are more aggressive, yet it shares similarities with serous low-grade ovarian tumors, said the researchers. Both serous high-grade and low-grade ovarian tumors are types of invasive ovarian cancer. Whether serous LMP ovarian tumors are types of invasive ovarian cancers has been controversial.

"Patients with serous low-grade or high-grade ovarian tumors currently receive the same treatment, which is surgery followed by chemotherapy," said Michael Birrer, MD, PhD, study leader and head of the Molecular Mechanism Section at the National Cancer Institute. "However, the finding that low-grade tumors are more similar to LMP tumors has significant therapeutic implications."

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/12/05/hlbf1205.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn