Endometriosis and risk of ovarian cancer: what do we know?

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This paper reviews recent findings on endometriosis and its association with ovarian cancer, confirming a compelling link but noting uncertainty regarding the absolute risk increase.

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This paper is a narrative overview that synthesizes recent literature on endometriosis and the risk of ovarian cancer, focusing on epidemiologic evidence and mechanistic links, including the observation that most endometriosis-related ovarian carcinomas arise in the setting of atypical ovarian endometriosis. Across reviewed studies, the authors conclude that the association between endometriosis and a higher ovarian cancer risk is compelling, but they note that the absolute risk increase remains unclear. A key limitation acknowledged in the framing is that the work is a narrative (not systematic) review, so the comprehensiveness and effect quantification of included evidence are not assured. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it reviews evidence on endometriosis as a risk factor for ovarian cancer and highlights uncertainty about the magnitude of absolute risk.

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Abstract

PurposeDespite 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.MethodNarrative overview, synthesizing the recent findings of literature retrieved from databases.ResultsHerein, we reviewed and summarized the most recent knowledge regarding endometriosis and ovarian cancer.ConclusionThe 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.
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Abstract

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. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Corresponding author Ethics declarations Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests. Informed consent Not relevant for this study. Ethical approval Not relevant for this study. Additional information Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Králíčková, M., Laganà, A.S., Ghezzi, F. et al. Endometriosis and risk of ovarian cancer: what do we know?. Arch Gynecol Obstet 301, 1–10 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05358-8 Received: Accepted: Published: Version of record: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05358-8

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endometriosis

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Endometriosis Ovarian Neoplasms Adult Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Ovarian Neoplasms Ovarian Neoplasms Retrospective Studies Risk Factors

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