In order to determine the role of CDKN2A in the development of sporadic ovarian cancer, loss of heterozygosity at 9p21–22, homozygous deletion, mutation and methylation status of the CDKN2A gene as well as CDKN2A expression were examined in a panel of serous papillary ovarian cancer. The gene discussed is CDKN2A; the disease is ovarian cancer.