Precursors of endometrial and ovarian carcinoma

• Published in: Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology Vol. 456; no. 1; pp. 1 - 12
• Main Authors: Kurman, Robert J., McConnell, Thomas G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 2010; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous - pathology; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Endometrioid - pathology; Endometrial Hyperplasia - pathology; Endometrial Neoplasms - classification; Endometrial Neoplasms - pathology; Endometrial Neoplasms - ultrastructure; Female; Female genital diseases; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lesions; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Ovarian cancer; Ovarian Neoplasms - classification; Ovarian Neoplasms - pathology; Ovarian Neoplasms - ultrastructure; Pathology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Precancerous Conditions - classification; Precancerous Conditions - pathology; Review and Perspective; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - metabolism; Tumors; p53 signature; Ovarian carcinoma; Tubal intraepithelial carcinoma; Endometrial carcinoma; Endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma; Carcinoma precursors; Endometrium cancer; Ovary carcinoma; Ovary cancer; Malignant tumor; Epithelium; Precursor; Female genital diseases; Ovarian diseases; Anatomic pathology; TP53 Gene; Uterine diseases; Endometrium carcinoma; Cancer; Tumor suppressor gene
• ISSN: 0945-6317; 1432-2307
• DOI: 10.1007/s00428-009-0824-9

This review discusses precursor lesions of endometrial and ovarian carcinoma with an emphasis on the unique molecular alterations that have led to the development of binary classification schemes for tumors of both the endometrium and ovary. While such a system is well established for endometrial carcinoma, only recently has a binary classification scheme been proposed for ovarian carcinoma. For both, the morphologic and molecular genetic-defining characteristics of their respective precursor lesions are described in detail. Furthermore, similarities and differences of the precursor lesions of specific tumors of these two genital tract organs are also addressed with a brief discussion of the clinical implications of their diagnosis.