Endometriosis typology and ovarian cancer risk

About The Study: Ovarian cancer risk was markedly increased among women with ovarian endometriomas and/or deep infiltrating endometriosis. This population may benefit from counseling regarding ovarian cancer risk and prevention and could be an important population for targeted screening and prevention studies.

Quote from corresponding author Karen C. Schliep, Ph.D.:

“Our study, among nearly a half million women followed over 20 years, found that endometriosis was linked with a 4-fold higher risk of ovarian cancer overall. This association jumped to a 19-fold higher risk when looking specifically at ovarian endometriomas or deep infiltrating endometriosis and type I ovarian cancer including endometrioid, clear cell, mucinous, and low-grade serous cancer.

“Given the rarity of ovarian cancer the excess risk was relatively small, with 10–20 additional cases per 100,000 women. Nevertheless, women with endometriosis, notably the more severe subtypes, may be an important population for targeted cancer screening and prevention studies.

“Precision medicine is more than just genetics. Clinical features, including a woman’s history of endometriosis and type of endometriosis, may inform ovarian cancer risk prediction models.”

Contact information for Karen C. Schliep, Ph.D.: email karen.schliep@utah.edu.

(doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.9210)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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