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Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma Samples

by | Mar 11, 2022 | News Releases | 0 comments

Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma Samples

Bay Biosciences provides high-quality biopsy tissue samples, formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks, with matched fresh frozen sera (serum), plasma, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) bio-fluids, from patients diagnosed with epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

The sera (serum), plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) biofluid specimens are processed from patients peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols from epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Fresh frozen tissue and matched biofluid samples were, collected from unique patients diagnosed with epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Bio-samples are provided to a valued pharmaceutical customer for research, diagnostics, discovery, and drug development.


Types of Ovarian Cancer

Following are the different types of ovarian cancers:

  • Epithelial ovarian cancer: This type of cancer arises from the surface of the ovary (the epithelium). It is the most common ovarian cancer. Fallopian Tube Cancer and Primary Peritoneal Cancer are also included in this designation.
  • Germ Cell ovarian cancer: This type of cancer arises from the reproductive cells of the ovaries, and is rare.
  • Stromal Cell ovarian cancer: This type of cancer arises from connective tissue cells, is very rare.
  • Small Cell Carcinoma (SCCO) of the ovary is an extremely rare ovarian cancer and it is not certain whether the cells in SCCO are from ovarian epithelial cells, sex-cord stromal cells or germ cells.

Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma Overview

Epithelial ovarian carcinomas are the most common type of ovarian cancer. About 85% to 90% of these cancers involve the cells that cover the outer surface of the ovary. 

This type of cancer develops in the epithelial tissue, a thin lining that covers the outside of an ovary.

Epithelium is one of the four types of tissue in the body (the others are muscle, nervous and connective) and covers the outer surfaces of organs and blood vessels, as well as the inner surfaces of cavities in many internal organs.

They commonly spread first to the lining and organs of the pelvis and abdomen and then to other parts of the body. Nearly 70% of women with this type of ovarian cancer are diagnosed in the advanced stages.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies, with 50% of all cases occurring in women older than 65 years.

In these type of cancers malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissue covering the ovary or lining the fallopian tube or peritoneum.

The serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen and pelvis and covering the abdominal organs and are called carcinomas.

Fallopian tube cancer (FTC), primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) and epithelial ovarian cancer are often grouped together because they share many similarities, including a similar course of treatment.

Types of Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Epithelial ovarian cancer ovarian cancer is divided into the following different types:

High-Grade Serous Carcinomas (HGSC)

Serous carcinomas are classified as low-grade and high-grade. High-grade serous carcinomas the most common type of ovarian cancer, approximately 75% of epithelial ovarian cancer including FTC and PPC fall into this subtype.

About 3 out of 4 epithelial ovarian cancers are high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Cancer cells that are high-grade grow and spread faster than those that are low-grade.

Experts believe HGSOC grows slowly at first. It starts in your fallopian tubes. It may take up to six and a half years to reach your ovaries.

Once the cancer is in your ovaries, it spreads quickly. The cancer often affects your peritoneum and other parts of your body. Nearly 70% of HGSOCs are stage 3 or 4 at the time of diagnosis. This means the cancer has spread outside of the original tumor and is now metastatic cancer.

Less common types of epithelial ovarian cancers include the following:

  • Endometrioid carcinoma: This type of cancer is more common in patients who have endometriosis. It affects the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. It responds better to chemotherapy than some other types do.

 

  • Low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC): This slow-growing cancer affects patients at a younger age (between 45 and 57). It accounts for about 10% of epithelia ovarian cancer. The disease is often advanced at the time of diagnosis and doesn’t respond well to chemotherapy. Low-grade carcinomas grow slowly. They’re unlikely to become high-grade cancers.

 

  • Mucinous carcinoma: These tumors are more distinct and respond well to treatments. They tend to be large (around 8 inches or 20 centimeters). Typically, they only affect your ovaries.

 

  • Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC): Patients of Asian ethnicity and patients with endometriosis are most at risk for this cancer. The disease is often advanced at diagnosis. It doesn’t respond well to chemotherapy.

 

  • Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the ovary: SCC typically develops from benign (noncancerous) conditions. It may form from ovarian cysts, endometriosis or Brenner tumors (solid, abnormal growths on your ovaries). It responds well to treatment when caught early.

Signs and Symptoms of Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Epithelial ovarian cancer rarely causes symptoms in its early stage. Symptoms become more noticeable as the disease progresses. As it spreads into your peritoneum (tissue that covers your abdominal organs), fluid (ascites) accumulates in the abdomen.

Following are the most common symptoms of epithelial ovarian cancer:

 

Stages of Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Cancer staging helps healthcare providers track a cancer’s growth. It tells your healthcare provider if the cancer has spread and affects treatment decisions. The same tests that diagnose cancer can determine the cancer stage.

There are four stages of ovarian cancer. Some stages have sub-stages. A higher stage number reflects a more advanced cancer. Ovarian cancer stages include:

  • Stage 1: Cancer is in one ovary or one fallopian tube.
  • Stage 2: Cancer has spread to your uterus or your peritoneal cavity.
  • Stage 3: Cancer has spread outside of your pelvis to other organs, lymph nodes or both.
  • Stage 4: Cancer cells are in fluid surrounding your lungs, lymph nodes in your groin, organs or other parts of your body.

Causes of Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Ovarian cancer develops when cells in this area of the body divide and multiply in an uncontrolled way.

The causes of why someone develops ovarian cancer are unknown. Experts have identified some risk factors which includes the following:


Age

About 50% of ovarian cancer cases occur after the age of 63 years.


Breast Cancer

Patients with a history of breast cancer seem to have a higher chance of ovarian cancer. This may be due to changes in the BRCA gene.

For this reason, some patients with breast cancer who test positive for this gene mutation may opt to have an oophorectomy, or surgery to remove the ovaries, as preventive therapy.


Family History

Having a close relative with a history of ovarian or breast cancer increases a person’s chance of developing ovarian cancer themselves.

Undergoing genetic screening for mutations in the BRCA gene may help determine if someone has a higher risk of both ovarian and breast cancer.


Gynecologic Surgery

Having surgery to remove the uterus, called a hysterectomy, may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by one-third.

Hormone Therapy

Undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause appears to increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

The longer a person uses HRT, the higher the risk. However, the risk appears to fall after treatment stops.


Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Scientists have been finding links between the human papillomavirus (HPV) and various cancers, including tonsil cancer and cervical cancer.

In 2013, the authors of a meta-analysis reported finding a high rate of HPV among patients  with ovarian cancer. However, they could not confirm that HPV causes it, and they called for further research.

Obesity and Overweight

Ovarian cancer is more common in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30.

Other Risk Factors

Other factors that may increase the risk of some types of ovarian cancer include:

  • Dietary factors
  • Having high levels of androgens, or male hormones
  • The use of talcum powder

However, researchers have not yet proven a link between these factors and ovarian cancer.


Reproductive History

Having had one or more full term pregnancies is associated with a lower risk of ovarian cancer. The more pregnancies a woman has, the lower the risk seems to be. Breastfeeding may also lower the risk.

However, having children later in life (after age 35) or never having children are associated with a higher risk.

Patients who use some types of fertility treatment may have a higher chance of developing borderline cells, but not all studies confirm this.

Also carcinoma in situ, or abnormal cells that may become cancerous.

Females who use birth control pills or an injectable contraceptive hormone also appear to have a lower risk.

 

Diagnosis of Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

There aren’t any screening tests to detect ovarian cancer early. You might have tests only if you have symptoms or are high risk. Your healthcare provider may start by performing a pelvic exam to check for unusual growths or enlarged organs.

You might have a CA-125 blood test to check for elevated levels of a protein called cancer antigen 125 (CA-125). High levels may mean you need more testing.

Following are some of the imaging tests help detect ovarian cancer:

  • Chest X-ray (to look for metastatic cancer to the lungs
  • CT scan
  • MRI scan
  • Positron emission tomography scan (PET)
  • Transvaginal ultrasound

The patient may also undergo a laparoscopy, which is a less invasive procedure, let’s the surgeon view the reproductive organs. Your doctor may take tissue samples of a tumor to biopsy for cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose ovarian cancer.


Treatment of Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Depending on the cancer type, you may get one or more of these treatments after surgery:

  • Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells. Treatments include platinum compounds (carboplatin) and paclitaxel (Taxol) or docetaxel (Taxotere).
  • Intraperitoneal chemotherapy to treat stage-III ovarian cancer by injecting cisplatin and paclitaxel directly into your abdominal cavity through a surgically placed catheter (thin, hollow tube).
  • Targeted therapies like bevacizumab (Avastin) to stop cancer cells from growing and multiplying.
  • Radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells with high-energy X-ray beams.

Cure of Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Usually doctors perform debulking surgery, which removes as much of the tumor as possible, followed by chemotherapy. Most epithelial ovarian cancer patients are initially cured, but the majority will have relapse and get it again later.

Patients with early-stage cancer may choose to remove only the diseased ovary and fallopian tube.

Patients with advanced cancers often undergo debulking surgery to remove:

  • Any other diseased areas (like your small intestine, large intestine or spleen)
  • Both fallopian tubes and ovaries (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy)
  • Nearby lymph nodes
  • Uterus (hysterectomy)
  • Omentum or fatty tissue covering your abdomen (omentectomy)

 

Prevention of Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Studies show that people who take the birth control pill (a form of hormonal birth control) for five or more years may cut their risk of ovarian cancer in half.

Certain surgical procedures may also lower cancer risk. Surgery to prevent cancer is called prophylactic surgery. This involves the removal of your fallopian tubes and ovaries with or without a hysterectomy. This is considered in patients who are at high risk due to family history (like those who have a BRCA mutation or (Lynch syndrome).

However, experts advise taking these actions only if medically necessary. Removing your ovaries can bring on early menopause, which has its own effects on your body.

These procedures don’t completely eliminate cancer risk. Some patients may already have undetected cancer when surgery takes place.

Patients with BRCA gene mutations can still get primary peritoneal cancer after removal of their fallopian tubes and ovaries. Ask your healthcare provider if you should have a BRCA test to find out if you have the BRCA gene.


Outlook of Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Over 13,000 patients die from ovarian cancer every year. It’s the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among patients assigned female at birth (AFAB). But promising new treatments are under development in clinical trials. And researchers are making progress in detecting the disease earlier.

When epithelial ovarian cancer is detected before it spreads, the five-year survival rate is more than 90%. This number drops to about 30% when the cancer has spread (metastasized).

Many factors affect a cancer prognosis, including:

  • Cancer spread.
  • Effectiveness of treatments.
  • Location, size and number of tumors and the cancer stage.

 

Bay Biosciences is a global leader in providing researchers with high quality, clinical grade, fully characterized human tissue samples, bio-specimens, and human bio-fluid collections.

Samples available include cancer (tumor) tissue, cancer serum, cancer plasma, cancer, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). and human tissue samples from most other therapeutic areas and diseases.

Bay Biosciences maintains and manages its own biorepository, the human tissue bank (biobank) consisting of thousands of diseased samples (specimens) and from normal healthy donors available in all formats and types.

Our biobank procures and stores fully consented, deidentified and institutional review boards (IRB) approved human tissue samples and matched controls.

All our human tissue collections, human specimens and human bio-fluids are provided with detailed, samples associated patient’s clinical data.

This critical patient’s clinical data includes information relating to their past and current disease, treatment history, lifestyle choices, biomarkers, and genetic information.

Patient’s data is extremely valuable for researchers and is used to help identify new effective treatments (drug discovery & development) in oncology, and other therapeutic areas and diseases.

Bay Biosciences banks wide variety of human tissue samples and biological samples, including cryogenically preserved at – 80°C.

Including fresh frozen tissue samples, tumor tissue samples, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), tissue slides, with matching human bio-fluids, whole blood and blood-derived products such as serum, plasma and PBMC.

Bay Biosciences is a global leader in collecting and providing human tissue samples according to the specified requirements and customized, tailor-made collection protocols.

Please contact us anytime to discuss your special research projects and customized human tissue sample requirements.

Bay Biosciences provides human tissue samples (human specimens) from diseased and normal healthy donors which includes:

We can also procure most human bio-specimens, special collections and requests for human samples that are difficult to find. All our human tissue samples are procured through IRB-approved clinical protocols and procedures.

In addition to the standard processing protocols, Bay Biosciences can also provide human plasma, serum, and PBMC bio-fluid samples using custom processing protocols; you buy donor-specific collections in higher volumes and specified sample aliquots from us.

Bay Biosciences also provides human samples from normal healthy donors; volunteers, for controls and clinical research, contact us Now.

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