TP53 mutations as a biomarker for high-grade serous ovarian cancer: are we there yet?

Ovarian cancer is in the top five causes of female cancer deaths in the developed world (1), and about 1 in 54 women will develop ovarian cancer based on lifetime risk (2). Symptoms can be vague, and most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Ovarian cancer is staged surgically and pathologically according to the FIGO system (3), and the five-year survival rate is around 30% for patients diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer (4). The five-year survival increases to 92% when the cancer is confined to the ovary, supporting the theory that early detection via biomarkers has the potential to reduce mortality. However, accuracy in ovarian cancer detection methods can be problematic and also lead to mortality via unsuitable treatment.