A substantial study conducted by American researchers has found that women with severe endometriosis are at a significantly higher risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to those without the condition. This groundbreaking analysis, which involved a cohort of 78,000 women with endometriosis, has been recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
A Long-Suspected Link
Endometriosis is a gynecological disease where the tissue that normally lines the uterus, known as the endometrium, begins to grow outside the uterus, often in the pelvic cavity. Superficial endometriosis typically manifests on the mucosal surfaces around the pelvic area, while more severe forms develop as cysts in the ovaries, known as endometriomas, or as deep infiltrating endometriosis affecting organs such as the ovaries, bladder, and intestines. Previous studies had hinted at a possible link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer, but this new research provides a more detailed analysis by examining the incidence rates of various types of endometriosis and subtypes of cancer using data from the Utah Population Database.
Specific Risk in Severe Endometriosis
The study revealed that women with any type of endometriosis have a 4.2-fold increased risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to those without the disease. The risk is even higher for those with more severe forms of endometriosis, with a seven-fold increased likelihood of developing type I cancer, a slow-growing form that is resistant to chemotherapy. According to Karen Schliep, the lead author of the study, women with severe endometriosis face a 19-fold increased risk of developing type I cancer, a risk level comparable to the well-established relationship between smoking and lung cancer.
Clinical Implications of the Findings
Jennifer Doherty, MD, PhD, a researcher and co-director of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, emphasized the clinical impact of these findings. “This discovery will influence the clinical care of women with severe endometriosis,” Doherty stated. “These women will now be able to receive counseling about their ovarian cancer risk and preventive measures.” The research also paves the way for further studies to explore the mechanisms by which certain types of endometriosis can lead to different forms of ovarian cancer.
Preventive Measures and Future Research
In light of these findings, women with severe endometriosis might consider preventive surgeries, such as a hysterectomy or oophorectomy (ovarian removal). However, these procedures are invasive, and further research is necessary to determine their appropriateness and effectiveness as preventive measures. Doherty adds, “These women with severe endometriosis subtypes represent a crucial population for targeted cancer screening and prevention studies.”
The study underscores the importance of recognizing the heightened risk of ovarian cancer among women with endometriosis, particularly those with severe forms. This new understanding will aid in better clinical care, risk counseling, and the development of targeted preventive strategies. As research continues, it will be essential to refine screening methods and identify effective preventive measures to protect women with endometriosis from the increased risk of ovarian cancer.
