Tu-be or not tu-be: that is the question… about serous ovarian carcinogenesis

Abstract

Our understanding of the early natural history of epithelial ovarian carcinoma is limited by the access to early lesions as the disease is very often diagnosed at advanced stages. The incessant ovulation theory from the last century that indicated the ovary as the site for the initiation of high-grade serous cancers is contrary to the newly emerging idea that ovarian cancer could arise from the distal fallopian tube. In view of the recent pathological and molecular studies, we propose to discuss the genesis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Keywords: Fallopian tube; Ovarian cancer; Ovarian carcinogenesis; Ovarian dysplasia; STIC; Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma.