Clinicopathologic Analysis of Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer

Objective: To explore the pathological feature and correlated risk factors of the ovarian carcinoma which combined with endometriosis(EM).Methods:Two hundred and eighty-six patients with ovarian malignant tumor hospitalized from 1997 to 2003 were analyzed retrospectively.By postoperative pathology results, patients were divided into merger endometriosis group ( n = 48, 16.8%) and non-merger endometriosis group( n = 238, 83.2%). The clinical and pathological features and 5-year survival rates were compared between 2 groups. Results:The tumor was greater than 8 cm in diameter in 33 cases (68.8%). There were 33 (68.8%) clear-cell carcinoma and endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the pathological types. There were 14 cases (29.2%) with inferior belly pain,10 cases (20.9%) with alter of menses ,9 cases (18.7%) with pelvic mass, and 6 cases (12.5%) with abdominal distension in EM group.There were 42 cases (17.7%) with inferior belly pain,32 cases (13.4%) with alter of menses,61 cases (25.6%) with pelvic mass,and 70 cases (29.4%) with abodominal distension in non EM group. Inferior belly pain and alter of menses were the most complaints in endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer. The pelvic mass and abdominal distension were more frequent complaints in other ovarian cancer (χ2=10.08, P 0.05). Two hundreds and seventy-two cases were operated for the first time. Thirty-eight cases were lost in 5-year follow-up visit. The five year survival rate of pure ovarian cancer in 213 patients was 35.6%, and the patients with EM were 58.4%, and significant difference was observed between the two groups( P 0.05). Conclusion:The patients with ovarian cancer combined EM were younger age and early stage grade. The prognosis of ovarian cancer can be ameliorated by an early diagnostic method.