Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
08:07
Establishment of an Experimental Mouse Model of Endometrioma to Study its Related Infertility
Published on: April 5, 2024
Endometriosis and cancer: what do we know?
J Nassif1, S Mattar, A Abu Musa
1Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. josephnassif@hotmail.com
Minerva Ginecologica
|April 20, 2013
Summary
Endometriosis, a condition affecting reproductive-aged women, is linked to gynecological cancers, particularly ovarian neoplasia. This review explores the complex relationship, including shared risk factors and molecular pathways.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Endometriosis affects 10-12% of reproductive-aged women, causing pain and infertility.
- The association between endometriosis and gynecological cancers, especially ovarian neoplasia, remains an area of significant research interest.
- Understanding this link is crucial for improving patient diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing English literature on the association between endometriosis and gynecological cancers.
- To compare endometriosis and endometrioma with cancer regarding causality, risk factors, histology, and molecular pathways.
- To elucidate the potential role of endometriosis in the etiology of gynecological malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of English literature.
- Analysis of studies comparing endometriosis/endometrioma and cancer.
- Inclusion of references from retrieved papers for comprehensive data collection.
Main Results:
- Endometriosis is characterized by ectopic endometrial tissue, glands, and stroma.
- The review examines mutual causality, shared risk factors, histological distinctions, and molecular/genetic pathways.
- Evidence suggests a probable role of endometriosis in the etiology of gynecological cancers, notably ovarian neoplasia.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between endometriosis and gynecological cancers is complex and multifactorial.
- Further research into molecular and genetic pathways is essential.
- This review consolidates current knowledge, highlighting endometriosis as a potential contributor to gynecological cancer development.
Related Concept Videos
02:30Metastasis
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
01:24Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
The female reproductive system can be affected by several disorders, including Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), endometriosis, and various forms of cancer. PMS and PMDD are cyclical conditions that cause physical and emotional distress, with symptoms that include edema, mood swings, and food cravings. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS characterized by increased symptom severity that peaks during the luteal phase and tends to improve or resolve shortly after...
02:07Oogenesis
In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
02:12What is Cancer?
Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
02:18Cancer
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.