Endometriosis and Cancer (original) (raw)

Endometriosis and ovarian cancer

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1993

Core tip: Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease, which, despite intensive research in the last decades, is still not fully explained. In addition, many questions remain to be answered as to the exact events leading from cysts to endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer. Surprisingly, having endometriosis might be less risky than undergoing in vitro fertilization, which can increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Our review summarizes current hypothesis on probable mechanisms and attributing factors such as longstanding estrogen stimulation, repeated heavy menstruation and early events on the molecular level. Thus far, however, no single one can be used for diagnosis or treatment.

Endometriosis and ovarian cancer: Their association and relationship

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X, 2019

To study endometriosis-associated borderline or malignant ovarian epithelial tumors by analyzing their differential clinical features, as well as the histological pattern, survival and immunohistochemical data compared with those without associated endometriosis.

Clinicopathological characteristics of ovarian carcinomas associated with endometriosis

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2012

Introduction Substantial histopathology data provide evidence that endometriosis might be viewed as a precursor lesion of endometrioid and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary, via intermediary atypical borderline lesions. Also, genes involved in both endometriosis and epithelial ovarian cancer have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinoma. Material and methods A retrospective study of 17 cases of ovarian carcinomas associated with endometriosis, diagnosed between 2000 and 2009, at Aretaieion Hospital of University of Athens, is presented. 10/17 cases in this study (58.8%) were clear cell carcinomas (CCC), 6/17 cases (35.3%) were endometrioid adenocarcinomas (EAC) and 1/17 cases (5.9%) was a serous carcinoma associated with ovarian endometriosis. Patients's age was 27-76 years (mean age 58 years). Typical ovarian endometriosis was documented in 8/17 (47%) of the tumors. In 9/17 cases, areas of fibrosis or cystic lesions infiltrated by iron-laden macrophages and endometrial-like stroma, consistent with endometriosis, were observed. Conclusion In comparison with common epithelial ovarian cancers, CCC and EACs of the ovary were presented at earlier stages. Cytoreductive surgical treatment is critical in order to plan appropriate post-operative management.

Epithelial Ovarian Cancers and Endometriosis

Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation, 2015

Aims: To determine the prevalence of endometriosis in epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC) and the association among their histological subtypes and with endometrial carcinoma. Methods: An observational cohort study performed in 192 patients operated on for EOC, 30 women with atypical endometriosis and 17 with p53 positive endometriosis. Data on associated endometriosis and endometrial carcinomas, histological subtypes, tumor stage, clinical and pathological characteristics and survival were analyzed. Results: Twenty cases of EOC (10.4%) had also endometriosis (12.7% in borderline and 9.3% in invasive cases), being a synchronous finding in most cases. Endometriosis associated with serous or mucinous EOC was observed in 2.2 and 2.7% of cases respectively. However, this association was observed in 50% of endometrioid and 23% of clear cell EOC. Age, parity and tumor stage were lower in endometriosis-associated EOC patients; and all associated cases were type I (Kurman and Shih's classification) and showed better results in survival rate. Endometrial carcinoma was more frequently associated with endometrioid EOC (25%). Conclusions: There is a significant association between endometriosis, including atypical forms, and endometrioid and clear cell carcinomas, but not with other EOC histotypes. The presence of endometriosis in EOC suggests a better prognosis and an intermediate stage within the progression endometriosis-carcinoma.

Endometriosis and risk of ovarian cancer: what do we know

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2019

Purpose: Despite long and intensive research, endometriosis remains one of the leading causes of morbidity among premenopausal women. The majority of endometriosis-related ovarian carcinomas occur in the presence of atypical ovarian endometriosis. Nevertheless, despite the increased incidence of ovarian cancer in patients with endometriosis, our knowledge of the risk factors and mechanisms is still incomplete. Method: Narrative overview, synthesizing the recent findings of literature retrieved from databases. Results: Herein, we reviewed and summarized the most recent knowledge regarding endometriosis and ovarian cancer. Conclusion: The evidence showing that patients with endometriosis have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer is compelling. However, the question of how much higher the absolute risk is, is not fully clear.

Endometriosis: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy and association with cancer (Review)

Oncology Reports, 2008

Endometriosis is a painful reproductive and immunological disease afflicting about 7-10% of women worldwide. It is one of the most frequent benign gynaecological diseases; however, little is known about the pathogenetic processes leading to the development and maintenance of this disease and the currently available therapeutic strategies are unsatisfactory. The goal of this article is to review the most recent advancements in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of this disease. The risk for cancer among women with endometriosis will be analyzed in light of the most recent epidemiological and functional studies focused on this disease.

Association between ovarian cancer and advanced endometriosis

Oncology letters, 2018

We retrospectively analyzed clinicopathological data in two different countries over the past years on the association between ovarian endometriosis and ovarian carcinoma. Medical and pathological reports were evaluated from 1,000 patients with endometriosis from two different geographical areas. The prevalence and women characteristics of cases were analyzed. Endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer was present in 20 (2%) cases, among the study subjects. The observed prevalence was 12 (60%) for endometrioid carcinoma, 4 (20%) for clear cell ovarian carcinoma, 2 (10%) for serous and 2 (10%) for mucinous adenocarcinoma. A higher proportion of endometrioid carcinoma cases were noted in comparison with other types (P<0.001). We found only 3/20 (15%) postmenopausal cases. In all cases, we reported advanced stage of endometriosis (stage III or IV). Left-sided endometrioid carcinoma were notably more common than right-sided ones (P<0.001). In the majority of cases, malignant transfor...

Does Endometriosis Impact the Prognosis of Endometrial Cancer?

Journal of Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2019

Despite the well-known relationship between endometriosis and the risk and prognosis of ovarian cancer, studies on the association the two are rare. Moreover, the impact of endometriosis on the prognosis of endometrial cancer has not been described in the literature. In this study, we attempted to investigate whether endometriosis had an effect on the prognosis of endometrial cancer. M Ma at te er ri ia al l a an nd d M Me et th ho od ds s: : This retrospective study was carried out on data from endometrial cancer patients between January 1996 and February 2016 at the Gynecological Oncology Department of Çukurova University Balcalı Hospital in Adana, Turkey. The pathological reports of 920 cases, operated after the diagnosis of endometrial cancer, were screened. Among these cases, 764 patients were found to be eligible for enrollment in this study. The patients were distributed into two groups based on the presence or absence of endometriosis in the pathological materials. The prognosis of the groups was compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. R Re es su ul lt ts s: : The endometriosis group was associated with younger age, less parity, more infertility, and a higher risk of simultaneous ovarian cancer. There were non-significant differences between the groups regarding pathological risk factors such as myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space involvement, lymph node positivity, and stage of progression. No recurrences or deaths were observed in the endometriosis group, although this observation was not statistically significant. C Co on nc cl lu us si io on n: : It is suggested that endometriosis does not influence the prognosis of endometrial cancer. However, a conclusive assessment could not be made by this study alone and, therefore, further studies are needed and researchers are encouraged to focus more on this subject.