Do ultrastructural changes in aged peritoneum contribute to ovarian cancer metastasis? [abstract]

Abstract

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) will affect 1 in 69 women born in the United States today. Currently, 80% of women newly diagnosed with EOC already have metastatic disease, thus early intervention during the metastatic process will improve the long-term survival rates of women with EOC. Metastasis in EOC occurs through a unique process where cells are shed from a primary tumor and form multicellular aggregates (MCA) that disseminate intraperitoneally in the ascites fluid.