ENDOCRINE ROLE IN OVARIAN-CANCER

Ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis. At the time of diagnosis, in the majority of cases, the disease has progressed to a stage where intra-a bdominal dissemination has already taken place. The pathogenesis of ov arian cancer is still unknown. However, epidemiologic studies have dem onstrated that endocrine factors may play an important role. Elevated steroid hormone levels have been detected in ovarian cancer patients. The use of endocrine therapy, frequently consisting of progestins and/ or tamoxifen, given on an empirical basis and as a last resort, has sh own a modest response rate of 10-15%. About 50% of the tumors are posi tive for estrogen and progesterone receptors (PR). The PR status is a prognostic indicator, independent of the stage of disease, histology a nd patient's age. The majority of ovarian cancers (>70%) are positive for androgen receptors. Anti-androgens inhibit the growth of ovarian c ancer cells in vitro in a majority of cases tested. Clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of anti-androgen are recommended.