Association between endometriosis and cancer: A comprehensive review and a critical analysis of clinical and epidemiological evidence

Edgardo Somigliana, Vigano' P, Paola Vigano', Paola Viganò, Fabio Parazzini, Sandra Stoppelli, Stoppelli S, S. Stoppelli, Giambattista E, Erika Giambattista, Paolo Vercellini
Gynecologic oncology · 2006 · vol. 101(2) , pp. 331–341 · doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2005.11.033 · PMID:16473398 · W2104813651
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This review critically analyzes existing clinical and epidemiological evidence to examine the association between endometriosis and cancer.

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Abstract

ObjectiveThis review was aimed to critically evaluate observational, cohort, and case-control studies performed so far in order to assess the association between endometriosis and malignant diseases. Based on the observations herein presented, clinical indications that might avoid physicians' mismanaging of affected patients are proposed.MethodsSearch strategies included online searching of the MEDLINE database and hand searching of relevant publications and reviews. Additional reports were collected by systematically reviewing all references from retrieved papers.ResultsEndometriosis is not associated with an increased risk of cancer in general. Data from large cohort and case-control studies indicate an increased risk of ovarian cancers in women with endometriosis. The observed effect sizes are modest varying between 1.3 and 1.9. Evidence from clinical series consistently demonstrates that the association is confined to the endometrioid/clear-cell histotypes. Available studies are characterized by several limitations, some of which potentially bias results towards the null hypothesis whereas others leading to overestimate the association. Evidence for an association with melanoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is increasing but still to be verified whereas an increased risk for other gynecological cancer types is not supported.ConclusionsEpidemiological findings on the association between endometriosis and cancer are still elusive. At present, endometriosis should not be considered a medical condition associated with a clinically relevant risk of any specific cancer. On the basis of the present findings, modifications of the standard treatment options for the disease are not justifiable.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Neoplasms Case-Control Studies Cohort Studies Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Neoplasms Neoplasms Ovarian Neoplasms Ovarian Neoplasms Ovarian Neoplasms

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)

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