From deep infiltrating endometriosis to endometriosis-associated cancer: current aspects of differential diagnosis

In: Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction · 2026 · doi:10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2026.763 · W7161232662
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This review summarizes current diagnostic criteria for differentiating deep infiltrating endometriosis from endometriosis-associated cancer, highlighting the need for standardized approaches to improve accuracy and oncological risk stratification.

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This review discusses the differential diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) versus endometriosis-associated cancer, focusing on how clinicians distinguish benign deep disease from malignant transformation. It synthesizes current concepts that consider similarities in clinical presentation, morphology, and molecular alterations, and it notes that malignant foci develop mainly in the ovaries and can also occur extra-ovarian; the authors explicitly highlight that the evidence base is limited and calls for standardized integrative approaches to improve diagnostic accuracy and stratify oncologic risk. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it specifically addresses how to differentiate deep infiltrating endometriosis from endometriosis-associated cancer.

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Abstract

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a socially significant condition that markedly reduces patients’ quality of life due to chronic pain syndrome and a high risk of infertility. In recent years, increasing evidence has emerged regarding the malignant transformation of the disease, with the malignant foci developing predominantly in the ovaries, as well as in extra-ovarian locations. The similarity of clinical manifestations, morphological characteristics, and molecular alterations between benign and malignant disease forms markedly complicates differential diagnosis. This article summarizes current concepts regarding the criteria for distinguishing deep infiltrating endometriosis from endometriosis-associated cancer. It highlights the limited evidence base and the need to develop standardized integrative approaches to improve diagnostic accuracy and stratification of oncological risk in this group of patients.
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Abstract

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a socially significant condition that markedly reduces patients’ quality of life due to chronic pain syndrome and a high risk of infertility. In recent years, increasing evidence has emerged regarding the malignant transformation of the disease, with the malignant foci developing predominantly in the ovaries, as well as in extra-ovarian locations. The similarity of clinical manifestations, morphological characteristics, and molecular alterations between benign and malignant disease forms markedly complicates differential diagnosis. This article summarizes current concepts regarding the criteria for distinguishing deep infiltrating endometriosis from endometriosis-associated cancer. It highlights the limited evidence base and the need to develop standardized integrative approaches to improve diagnostic accuracy and stratification of oncological risk in this group of patients. About the Authors A. G. SolopovaRussian Federation Antonina G. Solopova, MD, Dr Sci Med, Prof. Scopus Author ID: 6505479504. WoS ResearcherID: Q-1385-2015. 8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119048 A. Yu. Shatilina Russian Federation Anastasia Yu. Shatilina 8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119048 N. A. Martirosyan Russian Federation Naira A. Martirosyan 8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119048 M. R. Khadanovich Russian Federation Margarita R. Khadanovich 8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119048 K. N. Grigoreva Russian Federation Kristina N. Grigoreva, MD, PhD 8 bldg. 2, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119048

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Pathol Res Pract. 2011;207(3):156–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prp.2010.12.005. Review For citations: Solopova A.G., Shatilina A.Yu., Martirosyan N.A., Khadanovich M.R., Grigoreva K.N. From deep infiltrating endometriosis to endometriosis-associated cancer: current aspects of differential diagnosis. Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2026.763 JATS XML This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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