Posted Wednesday, June 29, 2011 --- 3:00 p.m.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Scientists have found a common gene mutation in ovarian cancer tumors.
The finding may eventually lead to tests aimed at faster diagnosis. Ovarian cancer kills nearly 14,000 women in the U.S. each year. It's the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women.
The researchers analyzed the genetic makeup of more than 300 tumor samples, and found the single gene mutation in nearly all of them. They found alterations to nine other genes also played a role in ovarian cancer, though to a much lesser extent.
The research was published in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature.
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