[Epithelial ovarian tumor microecology].

Epithelial ovarian cancer remains an insidious and fatal gynecological malignancy. They are associated with a poor prognosis mainly due to a late diagnosis and to acquired chemoresistance. Cancer cell environment profoundly influences tumor development. Tumor microenvironment consists of vascular component, stromal fibroblasts, inflammatory cells and extracellular matrix. The multisite development of epithelial ovarian cancer results from molecular and cellular cross-talks between cancer cells, stromal cells and their extracellular matrix environment. These interactions involve cytokines, adhesives molecules, and proteolytic systems. This review points out the importance of micro-ecology in epithelial ovarian cancer development. For this purpose the relationships between cancer cells and their encountered microenvironments are described with suggesting some potential therapeutic perspectives.