16 Aug Ovarian Cancer: Histological Typing Important as Biology Differs

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Martin Köbel M.D.
Assistant Professor, Pathology and Lab Medicine

Calgary Laboratory Services
9 3535 Research Road Nw
Calgary, Alberta T2L 2K8 Canada

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?

Answer:  Ovarian carcinomas are now divided into five histological types, which differ with respect to biology and clinical behaviour. However, the histological type assessment varies from center to center. Our study emphasizes the need for a standardized method to identify them. Until such consistent approach is established, histological types from various centers may not comprise the same entities and studies will give inconsistent results.

MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?

Answer:  No, these issues were previously reported. Our study offers a feasible solution.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Answer:   Histological typing is important because biology differs, which should be considered in patients management. It also emphasizes the role of pathologists and laboratory medicine to establish an accurate and reproducible histological type diagnosis.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Answer:   Biomarker supported histological type classification will improve comparability between research studies and should become standard for any type of cohort study.

Citation:

Biomarker-based ovarian carcinoma typing: a histological investigation in the Ovarian Tumor Tissue Analysis consortium

Koebel M, Kalloger S, Lee S, Duggan MA, Kelemen LE, Prentice L, Kalli KR, Fridley BL, Visscher DW, Keeney GA, Vierkant RA, Cunningham JM, Chow C, Ness RB, Moysich KB, Edwards RP, Modugno F, Bunker CH, Wozniak EL, Benjamin E, Gayther SA, Gentry-Maharaj A, Menon U, Gilks B, Huntsman DG, Ramus SJ, Goode EL.

Calgary Laboratory Services.

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev.
2013 Jul 23. [Epub ahead of print]

Last Updated on August 16, 2013 by Marie Benz MD FAAD