In a recent population-based cohort study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) , researchers from the United States of America investigated the potential association between different subtypes of endometriosis and the incidence of ovarian cancer. They found that women with ovarian endometriomas and/or deep infiltrating endometriosis had a significantly higher risk of ovarian cancer, especially type I ovarian cancer, compared to women without endometriosis. Background Endometriosis affects approximately 11% of reproductive-aged women, including a significant proportion of those with pelvic pain or infertility.
It is associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, with women having nearly twice the risk compared to those without endometriosis. A recent meta-analysis found strong associations between endometriosis and certain ovarian cancer histotypes, such as clear cell, endometrioid, and low-grade serous cancers. However, no consistent associations were found for high-grade serous or mucinous tumors.
Additionally, the relationship between endometriosis subtypes (superficial peritoneal endometriosis, ovarian endometriomas, and deep infiltrating endometriosis) and ovarian cancer histotypes remains to be explored thoroughly. Understanding these associations could inform new etiologic pathways and influence clinical decision-making. Therefore, researchers in the present study investigated the potential association between endometriosis and its s.