What is LGSOC?

Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) is a subtype of ovarian cancer that is characterized by younger age at diagnosis and resistance to chemotherapy. It occurs in the epithelial cells that line the surface of the ovary.

  • Represents 6-8% of all ovarian cancers.1

  • Typically diagnosed in women 45-55 years of age.1

  • Associated with slow tumor growth.1

  • Associated with variations in mutations in the BRAF and RAS genes.2

  • Mutations in the KRAS gene (KRAS+) are present in 35-57% of LGSOC cases.1

  • 85% of patients who achieve full remission following first-line therapy will develop recurrent disease.3

Ovarian cancer is usually asymptomatic, meaning that no symptoms present themselves in early stages, which may be why most women aren’t diagnosed until their cancer has progressed.2

Symptoms may include:

  • Abdominal bloating 2,4
  • Pelvic or abdominal pain 4
  • Unintended weight loss 2
  • Feeling full quickly 4
  • Constipation & other changes in bowel habits 2

Factors that may increase one’s risk of developing ovarian cancer include:

  • Genetics
  • Low functioning immune system
  • Environmental factors such as infertility, long-term hormone therapy (estrogen replacement therapy), use of an intrauterine device (IUD), increasing age, having never given birth, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

  • The initial management strategy for treating LGSOC and recurrent LGSOC consists of surgery to remove all visible signs of cancer, followed by chemotherapy.1
  • Potential treatments for recurrence also include hormone inhibitors and MEK inhibitors.1
  • LGSOC is a difficult to treat disease and current treatments are associated with:
    • Low response rates 1
    • Sub-optimal efficacy 5
    • High toxicity, making it difficult for patients to stay on therapy 5
  • Targeted therapies that have the potential to stop or slow the growth of tumors with less toxicity are currently being investigated.
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1 Grisham, R. Low grade serous carcinoma of the ovary. Oncology. 2016. 30(7):650-652. Available at: https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/low-grade-serous-carcinoma-ovary. Accessed December 3, 2020.
2 National Organization for Rare Disorders. Ovarian Cancer. Available at: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/ovarian-cancer/. Accessed December 3, 2020.
3 Corrado G, Salutari V, Palluzzi E, Distefano MG, Scambia G, Ferrandina G. Optimizing treatment in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2017;17:1147-1158. doi: 10.1080/14737140.2017.1398088.
4 American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. Available at:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html. Accessed December 3, 2020.
5 Slomovitz, Gourley, Carey, Malpica, Shih, Huntsman, Fader., Grisham et al, Low-Grade serous ovarian cancer: State of the Science; Gynecol Oncol; 2020.