The association between endometriosis and gynecological cancers and breast cancer: A review of epidemiological data

Munksgaard PS, Peter Svenssen Munksgaard, Blaakaer J, Jan Blaakaer, Jan Blaakær
Gynecologic Oncology · 2011 · vol. 123(1) , pp. 157–163 · doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2011.06.017 · PMID:21742370 · W2152559826
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This review examines epidemiological data to explore the relationship between endometriosis and the occurrence of gynecological cancers and breast cancer.

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Abstract

ObjectiveThis article critically reviews the literature on the association between endometriosis and gynecological cancers and breast cancer, based on epidemiologic data.MethodsLiterature review of the English language literature based on searching in the MEDLINE (PubMed) database and additional collection of reports by systematically reviewing all references from retrieved papers.ResultsData from large cohort and case-control studies indicate that endometriosis patients only have an increased risk of ovarian cancer among the gynecological malignancies and breast cancer, although most of the observed associations are modest. Data on the association between endometriosis and breast cancer are inconsistent. Endometriosis patients have a reduced risk of cervical cancer, and there is no association between endometriosis and endometrial cancer. Endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer seems to be a distinct clinical entity; patients are younger, diagnosed in earlier stages, have lower grade lesions and a better survival. Further, endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers are predominantly clear cell and endometrioid histologic subtypes.ConclusionsEndometriosis seems to be a precursor of epithelial ovarian cancer, especially clear cell and endometrioid adenocarcinomas. However, current evidence is insufficient to draw any definitive conclusions whether this association represents causality or the sharing of similar risk factors and/or antecedent mechanisms.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Breast Neoplasms Endometriosis Genital Neoplasms, Female Breast Neoplasms Case-Control Studies Cohort Studies Endometriosis Female Genital Neoplasms, Female Humans

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 (58)

Cited by (50)

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