Peritoneal biomarkers in the early detection of ovarian cancer

Abstract

Ovarian cancer remains to date the fifth most common cause of cancer-related mortality in women, with 75% of cases being detected at an advance stage. Despite the knowledge that early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is associated with better prognosis and outcome, at present, there are still no recommendations for screening of asymptomatic women and the general population. Although there have been many advances in technology, mortality rates for ovarian cancer have remained more or less unchanged throughout the years because the screening tools being used do not achieve the desired sensitivities and specificities. This review analyzes the currently available detection techniques and biomarkers in an attempt to deduce the most adequate screening tools. There is new emerging evidence on the potential use of peritoneal fluid and its biomarkers as a representation of the tumor microenvironment in order to aid in the early detection of ovarian cancer.