{"paper_id":"9385e33b-d5cd-4e15-ac17-ee8ac15f0ce4","body_text":"Synonyms\nDeeply infiltrating endometriosis; DIE; Endometrioma-benign endometriotic ovarian cysts\nDefinition\nEndometriosis is a disease characterized by the presence of endometrium-like epithelial and stromal tissue outside their normal location in the uterus, commonly on the ovaries and peritoneum. It is benign but has been linked to the development of ovarian cancer and may be a preneoplastic lesion.\nCharacteristics\nEndometriosis affects ∼10% of women of reproductive age. Its symptoms include pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and subfertility, although it may also be asymptomatic. The main pathological processes associated with endometriosis are peritonealinflammation and fibrosis, and formation of adhesions and endometriomas. It is hormone-dependent, and is more common in women of low parity. Most endometriosis occurs sporadically, although it can be inherited as a complex genetic trait.\nSurgery is required to make a formal diagnosis of endometriosis, e.g., at laparoscopy (Fig. 1), when...\nAccess this chapter\nTax calculation will be finalised at checkout\nPurchases are for personal use only\nReferences\nVarma R, Rollason T, Gupta J et al (2004) Endometriosis and the neoplastic process. Reproduction 127:293–304\nVigano P, Somigliana E, Chiodo I et al (2006) Molecular mechanisms and biological plausibility underlying the malignant transformation of endometriosis: a critical analysis. Hum Reprod Update 12:77–89\nNess R, Modugno F (2006) Endometriosis as a model for inflammation-hormone interactions in ovarian and breast cancers. Eur J Cancer 42:691–703\nProwse A, Manek S, Varma R et al (2006) Molecular genetic evidence that endometriosis is a precursor of ovarian cancer. Int J Cancer 119:556–562\nDinulescu A, Ince T, Quade B et al (2005) Role of K-ras and Pten in the development of mouse models of endometriosis and endometrioid ovarian cancer. Nat Med 11:63–70\nAuthor information\nAuthors and Affiliations\nCorresponding author\nEditor information\nEditors and Affiliations\nRights and permissions\nCopyright information\n© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg\nAbout this entry\nCite this entry\nDavis, H., Prowse, A.H., Kennedy, S. (2011). Endometriosis. In: Schwab, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Cancer. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16483-5_1885\nDownload citation\nDOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16483-5_1885\nPublished:\nPublisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg\nPrint ISBN: 978-3-642-16482-8\nOnline ISBN: 978-3-642-16483-5\neBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences","source_license":"CC0","license_restricted":false}