Evidence that Endometriosis Behaves in a Malignant Manner

E J Thomas, Eric J. Thomas, Thomas EJ, Ian Campbell, I G Campbell
Gynecologic and obstetric investigation · 2000 · vol. 50(Suppl. 1) , pp. 2–10 · doi:10.1159/000052872 · PMID:11093055 · W1987491559
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This study found no increased frequency of galactose metabolism gene mutations in women with endometriosis, despite their known association with ovarian cancer and potential link to endometriosis's malignant behavior.

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Abstract

It is well known that certain aspects of endometriosis are similar to those of malignant disease. For example, like cancer, endometriosis can be both locally and distantly metastatic; it attaches to other tissues, invades, and damages them. Endometriosis is a common disease that does not create a cachectic or catabolic state, and is rarely fatal. There are, however, numerous reported cases of malignancy arising from endometriotic deposits and substantial histologic evidence that endometriosis is associated with endometrioid carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. A large review article by Mostoufizadeh and Scully investigated the association between endometriosis and endometrioid carcinoma, noting that women who had both diseases tended to be younger [1]. They found no association between endometriosis and serous or mucinous carcinoma of the ovary, and reported that malignant transformation of endometriosis was rare and associated with the use of exogenous estrogens. An epidemiological study of Swedish women reported a higher incidence of breast and ovarian cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in women with endometriosis compared with controls [2]. Vercellini and colleagues also reported a higher incidence of endometrioid and clear cell carcinoma in women with endometriosis compared with controls [3]. Mutations in genes associated with galactose metabolism have been identified as one possible mechanism for this association. These mutations are more common in ovarian cancer and have been reported to be more common in women with endometriosis. We compared 78 women with endometriosis with 248 controls and were unable to demonstrate an increased frequency of these mutations in any of these groups.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometrial Neoplasms Endometriosis Ovarian Neoplasms Precancerous Conditions Precancerous Conditions Animals Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic Endometrial Neoplasms Endometrial Neoplasms Endometrial Neoplasms Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Galactose Galactose Humans Ovarian Neoplasms Ovarian Neoplasms Ovarian Neoplasms

Citation neighborhood

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References (12)

Cited by (50)

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