Genetic mutation in Pap smear samples studied for Ovarian Cancer

Research study

Pap smears are taken by millions of women to test them for cervical cancer and other gynecological cancers. The researchers from the John Hopkins University analyzed Pap smears collected from 46 women suffering from endometrial or ovarian cancer, in a pilot study.

The cells in the body are capable of flaking off tumorous cells in uterus, ovaries and they travel down to the cervix and can come up in areas where the Pap smear is done, say the scientists. The researchers used DNA testing on these samples to reveal the genetic mutations that show that cancer may be present in the women.

The doctors predict years of testing still before the PapGene technique could be relied on as a screening tool for women. The researchers? advise the same Pap smear as the technique is still in the early stages.

Further studies

Dr. Luis Diaz, a Hopkins oncologist, with his team is busy assembling extra Pap smear samples for further study on detection of ovarian cancer. Dr Diaz claims that this is the period of hard work. The collection technique remains the same but the laboratory work increases as a microscope may not be of much help in this case. The PapGene technique is a novel approach says Michael Melner American Cancer Society genetics expert says "This is very encouraging, and it shows great potential.?

"We are a long way from being able to see any impact on our patients," warned Dr. Shannon Westin of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She felt that ovarian cancer detection needs upgrading and perfection to be successful.The survival rates for ovarian cancer are low as it is not discovered in time. Pap smear tests from about 14 women who were healthy showed no false alarms.

Westin retorted ?If this screening test could identify ovarian cancer at an early stage, there would be a profound impact on patient outcomes and mortality,"

The scientists were looking for DNA evidence for gynecological tumors and ended up with this method. They screen Pap smear samples using standard equipment for genetic mutation. Advanced and early stage tumors can be detected through this test.

?The endometrial cancers may have been easier to find because cells from those tumors don't have as far to travel as ovarian cancer cells? Diaz remarked. There is contemplation on amongst the researchers whether taking deeper samples from the Papsmear at different periods of the menstrual cycle might help faster detection of ovarian cancer.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tsfeedsfilmy/~3/Bfp2Ar9u7eE/genetic-mutation-pap-smear-samples-studied-ovarian-cancer-86147484.html

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