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Endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer occurs early during follow-up of endometrial cysts

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Abstract

Background

Endometriosis is a risk factor for ovarian cancer. Endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC), most commonly clear cell carcinoma, is believed to develop from ovarian endometrial cysts. In this study, we reviewed published cases of EAOC considered to have developed from endometrial cysts, and focused on the observation period.

Methods

We searched for articles published since January 2000 that reported cases of ovarian cancer thought to have originated from endometrial cysts using PubMed, Web of Science, and Ichushi-Web. The period from the start of follow-up of the endometrial cyst to the diagnosis of ovarian cancer was calculated.

Results

Seventy-nine cases were identified from 32 articles. The median period from the diagnosis of endometrial cysts to the diagnosis of ovarian cancer was only 36 months. Approximately 75% of cases developed into cancer within 60 months and most cases developed within 120 months.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that clinically detectable cysts subsequently diagnosed as ovarian cancer might already have contained cancer cells. Therefore, the mechanism of EAOC development needs to be re-examined and appropriate management guidelines need to be developed.

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Funding

This study was supported in part by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant number 18H02947 (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research B for Noriomi Matsumura).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, 377-2, Oonohigashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, Japan

    Kosuke Murakami, Yasushi Kotani, Reona Shiro, Hisamitsu Takaya, Hidekatsu Nakai & Noriomi Matsumura

Authors
  1. Kosuke Murakami
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  2. Yasushi Kotani
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  3. Reona Shiro
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  4. Hisamitsu Takaya
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  5. Hidekatsu Nakai
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  6. Noriomi Matsumura
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Noriomi Matsumura.

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Murakami, K., Kotani, Y., Shiro, R. et al. Endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer occurs early during follow-up of endometrial cysts. Int J Clin Oncol 25, 51–58 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-019-01536-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-019-01536-5

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