genetics of Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer occurs primarily in postmenopausal women, and most cases are thought to be due to acquired alterations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. In contrast, approximately 5–10% of ovarian cancers arise in women who carry inherited mutations in a cancer susceptibility gene. It is thought that more than 90% of hereditary ovarian cancer is due to inherited mutations in the BRCA1 breast/ovarian cancer susceptibility gene on chromosome 17q. BRCA1 mutational analysis is being performed in several academic medical centers on a research basis and also now is commercially available. With the ability to identify mutations in BRCA1, prophylactic oophorectomy and other interventions intended to decrease ovarian cancer mortality can be offered specifically to women who carry a mutation, but the optimal strategy for the clinical management of these families has not yet been determined.