Genetic abnormalities of cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, with special reference to gynaecological cancers.

This review focuses on molecular events with the progression of gynaecological malignancies. The association of genetic abnormalities in cell cycle regulator genes, tumor suppressor genes and gene coding for growth factor receptors, with the progression of gynaecological cancers is reviewed. The possibility that some of these genes, cell cycle regulator genes in particular, could be co-operating with human papilloma virus genes in the induction and progression of gynaecological cancers is also discussed. The clinical effectiveness and reliability of these genes as markers of cancer progression and predictors of disease prognosis have been evaluated.