The relationship of endometriosis and ovarian malignancy: a review

Farr Nezhat, Nezhat F, Meghna Datta, M Shoma Datta, Datta MS, Veneta Hanson, Hanson V, Pejovic T, Tanja Pejovic, Tanja Pejović, Ceana Nezhat, Nezhat C, Camran Nezhat
Fertility and sterility · 2008 · vol. 90(5) , pp. 1559–1570 · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.08.007 · PMID:18993168 · W2128706305
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This review examines the association between endometriosis and the development of ovarian malignancy.

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo review the malignant potential of endometriosis based on epidemiologic, histopathologic, and molecular data.DesignLiterature review.Result(s)The pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unclear. The histopathologic development of endometriosis has undergone long-term investigation. Studies have confirmed histologic transition from benign endometriosis to ovarian malignancy, including malignant transformation of extraovarian endometriosis. The prevalence of endometriosis in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, especially in endometrioid and clear cell types, has been confirmed to be higher than in the general population. Ovarian cancers and adjacent endometriotic lesions have shown common genetic alterations, such as PTEN, p53, and bcl gene mutations, suggesting a possible malignant genetic transition spectrum. Furthermore, endometriosis has been associated with a chronic inflammatory state leading to cytokine release. These cytokines act in a complex system in which they induce or repress their own synthesis and can cause unregulated mitotic division, growth and differentiation, and migration or apoptosis similar to malignant mechanisms.Conclusion(s)The malignant potential of endometriosis holds serious implications for management, such as the need for earlier and more meticulous surgical intervention for complete disease treatment.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Cell Transformation, Neoplastic Endometriosis Ovarian Neoplasms Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic Genomic Instability Humans Incidence Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins Interleukin-1 Interleukin-1

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (100)

Cited by (50)

Source provenance

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK