Background
Endometriosis
is a risk factor for epithelial ovarian cancer; however, whether this
risk extends to all invasive histological subtypes or borderline tumours
is not clear. We undertook an international collaborative study to
assess the association between endometriosis and histological subtypes
of ovarian cancer.
Interpretation
Clinicians should be aware of the increased risk of specific subtypes of ovarian cancer (clear cell, endometrioid) in women with endometriosis. Future efforts should focus on understanding the mechanisms that might lead to malignant transformation of endometriosis so as to help identify subsets of women at increased risk of ovarian cancer.
