K-ras mutation may promote carcinogenesis of endometriosis leading to ovarian clear cell carcinoma

Junko Otsuka, Tsuyoshi Okuda, Akihiko Sekizawa, Satoshi Amemiya, Hiroshi Saito, Takashi Okai, Miki Kushima, Tetsuhiko Tachikawa
Medical electron microscopy : official journal of the Clinical Electron Microscopy Society of Japan · 2004 · vol. 37(3) , pp. 188–92 · doi:10.1007/s00795-004-0252-5 · PMID:15449112 · W2070390110
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K-ras mutations were found in ovarian clear cell carcinoma but not in adjacent endometriosis or atypical endometriosis, suggesting these mutations may be involved in malignant transformation.

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Abstract Endometriosis shares some features characteristic of malignancy; however, it remains unclear whether endometriosis is a precursor to malignant disease. The objective is to determine the genetic relationship between endometriosis and ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCA). Among 37 Japanese patients with OCCA who underwent primary surgery at Showa University Hospital between 1987 and 1999, K-ras mutations were detected in 6. Three of these patients had ectopic endometrial tissue adjacent to the site of carcinoma. These cases demonstrated areas of endometriosis and areas of OCCA bordered by atypical endometriosis. We retrieved cells from regions of endometriosis and atypical endometriosis, as well as OCCA cells, by laser microdissection in each case. K-ras mutations were analyzed in each specimen dissected. DNA analysis of each region revealed that K-ras mutations were detectable in OCCA but not in endometriosis or atypical endometriosis. It is thought that a number of genetic alterations are involved in malignant transformation. It is possible that K-ras mutations are associated with malignant transformation of atypical endometriosis into OCCA, although further research is needed to define this mechanism. Similar content being viewed by others Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding author Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Otsuka, J., Okuda, T., Sekizawa, A. et al. K-ras mutation may promote carcinogenesis of endometriosis leading to ovarian clear cell carcinoma. Med Electron Microsc 37, 188–192 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00795-004-0252-5 Received: Accepted: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00795-004-0252-5

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Endometriosis Genes, ras Ovarian Neoplasms Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Genes, ras Histology, Comparative Humans Microdissection Mutation Mutation Ovarian Neoplasms Ovarian Neoplasms

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