Does Endometriosis Raise Risk for Developing Ovarian Cancer?

Yes, especially the ovarian subtype of endometriosis (i.e., endometrioma); however, absolute risk for ovarian cancer remained low.

To investigate the relation between various types of endometriosis and risk for ovarian cancer, Finnish investigators used nationwide data in a study of some 50,000 women with surgically confirmed endometriosis diagnosed between 1987 and 2012 (follow-up, 839,000 women-years). Endometriosis subtypes included ovarian, peritoneal, and deep infiltrating.

Compared with women who did not have endometriosis, those with the condition were at significantly higher risk for developing ovarian cancer (standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 1.8) although absolute risk for ovarian cancer remained low (approximately 2 additional cases of ovarian cancer per 10,000 women years of follow-up). The magnitude of the association varied for different ovarian cancer t…

Reviewing Author

Robert L. Barbieri, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Robert L. Barbieri, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Does Endometriosis Raise Risk for Developing Ovarian Cancer?

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Reviewing Author