While endometriosis is common in women of reproductive age, the occurrence of ovarian malignancies caused by endometriosis is also common. For decades, there has been evidence of a link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer. Endometriosis exhibits some traits related with cancer, according to Buis et al. (2013). These characteristics include the formation of local and distant foci. Additional characteristics include the proclivity for attachment and invasion into other locations, resulting in tissue damage. Endometriosis is also distinguished by uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation in conjunction with estrogen-dependent growth (Buis et al., 2013). Although ovarian cancer and endometriosis are two distinct conditions, evidence has depicted that suffering from endometriosis increases the chances of developing ovarian cancer (Pearce et al., 2012). The relation between the two is not fully understood, but it is connected to fertility. Scientists argue that conceiving and giving birth may have some protective effect against ovarian cancer. The association occurs since endometriosis is the cause of infertility in 50% women who cannot conceive (Pearce et al., 2012). Another argument could be the fact that endometriosis leads to vulnerability of the health status of the reproductive system and this will aid in early diagnosis and detection of ovarian cancer.
Early diagnosis of endometriosis and a long history increases the risk of development of ovarian cancer. Additionally,women whose first site of location of endometriosis is the ovary have increased risk of development of cancer (Buiset al., 2013). The basis of the association is connected to the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. A considerable number of ovarian cancers develop in the epithelium of the fallopian tube. Concurrently new research shows that women suffering from endometriosis have a higher risk of developing clear cell ovarian cancer and endometrial tumors.
References
Buis, C. C. M., Van Leeuwen, F. E., Mooij, T. M., Burger, C. W., & OMEGA Project Group. (2013). Increased risk for ovarian cancer and borderline ovarian tumours in subfertile women with endometriosis. Human Reproduction, 28(12), 3358-3369.
Pearce, C. L., Templeman, C., Rossing, M. A., Lee, A., Near, A. M., Webb, P. M., ... & Chang-Claude, J. (2012). Association between endometriosis and risk of histological subtypes of ovarian cancer: a pooled analysis of case-control studies. The lancet oncology, 13(4), 385-394.
