Ovarian tumors represent a diffuse clinical problem in gynecology. In industrialized countries, an ovarian tumor will develop in about 1 women in 70. Most of the tumors are benign and do not require further treatment. Therefore, a frequent problem is how to distinguish the benign from the malignant forms. The pathologist recognizes 3 groups of tumors originating from the epithelial, germ, and stromal cells. It is surprising that 90% of ovarian benign and malignant tumors throughout the world originate from epithelial cells. In fact, the epithelial cells of coelomic origin that are on the ovarian surface represent the smallest percentage of ovarian cells and are devoid of any normal function. Even though the germ and stromal cells are characterized by biologic and endocrine activities, only in a minority of cases do these give rise to ovarian benign or malignant tumors. This observation may help to explain the limited value of circulating hormonal markers in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors as well as the scarce incidence of endocrine symptoms. The effort of this article is to describe how ovarian endocrine, autocrine, and paracrine regulation may have an impact on tumorogenesis. The interaction between sex steroid hormones, gonadotropins, growth factors, and cytokines is fundamental in ovarian growth, development, differentiation, and senescence. These balanced mechanisms get lost in ovarian tumors and, in particular, in malignant transformations.

Taylor, R.N., Cobellis, L., Severi, F.M., Petraglia, F. (2001). From biology to biochemical and biophysical diagnostic tools of ovarian tumors. CURRENT PROBLEMS IN OBSTETRICS, GYNECOLOGY AND FERTILITY, 24(5), 157-196.

From biology to biochemical and biophysical diagnostic tools of ovarian tumors

Severi, F. M.;
2001-01-01

Abstract

Ovarian tumors represent a diffuse clinical problem in gynecology. In industrialized countries, an ovarian tumor will develop in about 1 women in 70. Most of the tumors are benign and do not require further treatment. Therefore, a frequent problem is how to distinguish the benign from the malignant forms. The pathologist recognizes 3 groups of tumors originating from the epithelial, germ, and stromal cells. It is surprising that 90% of ovarian benign and malignant tumors throughout the world originate from epithelial cells. In fact, the epithelial cells of coelomic origin that are on the ovarian surface represent the smallest percentage of ovarian cells and are devoid of any normal function. Even though the germ and stromal cells are characterized by biologic and endocrine activities, only in a minority of cases do these give rise to ovarian benign or malignant tumors. This observation may help to explain the limited value of circulating hormonal markers in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors as well as the scarce incidence of endocrine symptoms. The effort of this article is to describe how ovarian endocrine, autocrine, and paracrine regulation may have an impact on tumorogenesis. The interaction between sex steroid hormones, gonadotropins, growth factors, and cytokines is fundamental in ovarian growth, development, differentiation, and senescence. These balanced mechanisms get lost in ovarian tumors and, in particular, in malignant transformations.
2001
Taylor, R.N., Cobellis, L., Severi, F.M., Petraglia, F. (2001). From biology to biochemical and biophysical diagnostic tools of ovarian tumors. CURRENT PROBLEMS IN OBSTETRICS, GYNECOLOGY AND FERTILITY, 24(5), 157-196.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11365/1002445
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