Although the molecular basis for the development of ovarian cancer is not clear, upregulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is reported to be a frequent event in ovarian cancer and associated with tumour progression, invasion and poor survival rate (Kohler et al, 1989; Simpson et al, 1995; Skirnisdottir et al, 2001; Cloven et al, 2004). The gene discussed is EGFR; the disease is ovarian carcinoma.