Ovarian Cancer - Coursework Example

Epithelial ovarian tumors account for most of the ovarian tumors, comprising between 50 and 90 percent of the cases (Morgan Jr. et al. 2011, p. 82; Nicum & Kaye 2011, p. 346; Burke & Patchefsky 2003, p. 1). These tumors originate from the surface of the epithelium and most (90 to 95 percent) of them are erratic. As well, about 15 percent of epithelial tumors have the potential to become borderline malignant tumors while the remaining ones (85 percent) are invasive cancers (Nicum & Kaye 2011, p. 346). Epithelial ovarian tumors arise from a cystic infolding of the modified pelvic mesothelium that usually envelops the surface of the ovary and the pelvic peritoneum (Burke & Patchefsky 2003, p. 1). There are different types of epithelial ovarian tumors.

These include mucinous tumors, serous tumors, endometrioid tumors, transitional cell tumors, clear cell tumors, undifferentiated tumors, and adenocarcinomas (Chen et al. 2003, pp. 2632-2635; Burke & Patchefsky 2003, pp. 1-11). According to Kurman and Shih (2010), efforts to detect epithelial ovarian cancers early, as well as the use of new treatment, approaches to deal with the disease, and decrease mortality have to a large extent been unsuccessful. This is due to the fact that the origin and pathologic processes of epithelial ovarian malignancies are not well understood.

In addition, in spite of the many studies that have been conducted to carefully scrutinize the ovaries for lesions that act as a precursor for epithelial ovarian cancers, no lesions have been found. Because of this situation, it has been proposed that epithelial ovarian malignancies develop de novo (meaning that cancer arises from the beginning from the surface lining of the ovaries) (Jermy & Bourne 2003, p. 190; Kurman & Shih 2010). Some studies have also suggested that epithelial ovarian malignancies are not one disease but comprise different groups of tumors that can be categorized depending on their molecular genetic and morphologic characteristics (Kurman & Shih 2010).