Relationship between endometriosis and ovarian cancer

To investigate the occurrence of ovarian cancer (OC) arising in ovarian endometriosis (OE) diagnosed in our laboratory, and the relation of the disease to patient age.

Histopathological reports were reviewed in cases of endometriosis and ovarian cancer diagnosed between 1982 and 1989 and in 1997. The occurrence of OE and OC was studied in relation to patient age.

Of the 796 OE cases, 36 (4.5%) ovarian cancers were found in the eight-year period, and of the 216 OC cases 36 (16.7%) were associated with OE; 12 patients (1.7%) were under 50 years old and 24 (22.9%) were over 50. In 1997 there were 168 cases of OE, and 4 cases were associated with OC. Of the 60 OC cases 4 cases arose in endometriosis. Two patients were over 50 and two under 50.

In our report the occurrence of OC arising in OE was most influenced by patient age, the extent of sampling and the consistency of histologic reports about the presence of endometriosis in ovarian adenocarcinoma.