[Malignant transformation of endometriosis: a hypothesis on its histogenesis]

Carcinomatous degeneration of the endometrium is rarely seen. The authors consider the pathogenesis of this disorder based on two authentic cases. On the basis of their previous studies of the endometrium, the authors suggest that endometriotic centers are simply "dystrophies" developing from subcoelomic mesenchymal cells which although quiescent are still capable of proliferation and differentiation. "Dystrophies" are insensitive to hormonal incitation and this would explain the rarity of carcinomatous degeneration of the endometrium.