New Study further Links Ovarian Cancer and Endometriosis

“WAY OVERDUE, NEVER TOO LATE!” Dr.Seckin Says

A new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in July 2024 showed that the risk of ovarian cancer is markedly higher in patients with endometriosis.

Many studies have already supported the possible association between endometriosis and the risk of developing ovarian cancer. However, the possible link between the different types of endometriosis and ovarian cancer has not been well studied.

We have been following this possible link, particularly with patients with endometriosis who have a family history of ovarian, breast, and uterine cancer. We already published a study called Cancer-Associated Mutations in Endometriosis without cancer in the New England Journal of Medicine. Seventeen of the 23 cases described in that study were from our clinical practice in New York.

“It is not surprising to see this association between the 2 diseases,” Dr. Seckin said. “There is a great overlap in the profile of patients with ovarian cancer and endometriosis”.  The main difference is the age of onset with ovarian cancer usually appearing in women older than 68 while endometriosis mostly affects women of reproductive age.

The JAMA study showed that women with peritoneal endometriosis are four times more likely to receive a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Women with endometriomas are eight times more likely to receive a diagnosis of Type 1 ovarian cancer. The study found the highest risk of ovarian cancer among women with deep-infiltrating endometriosis and/or ovarian endometriomas. This odds ratio was strikingly very high, almost 19 times!

“The findings of the study suggest that surgery focusing on excision for endometriosis may even conceptually help prevent ovarian cancer”, Dr. Seckin said. “I believe people with endometriosis who have a history of ovarian cancer in their family should take this very seriously and have their endometriosis cleaned up.”

“What is most disappointing is that the scientists and surgeons who have spoken on the subject in this article downplayed the role endometriosis may play in ovarian cancer”. 

“This study also highlights the fact that we are way behind in understanding the link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer. There is a high chance that a more direct association between the two diseases exists and more research is needed”.

“I would like to congratulate Dr. Karen C. Schliep and Dr. Leslie V. Farland and all the authors of the study for this great article that I believe will change the care of endometriosis as well as the prevention of ovarian cancer ”. 

The population-based cohort study was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Karen C. Schliep from the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City. It analyzed a total of 78,893 patients with endometriosis and 394,465 women without the disease.

About ovarian endometriomas and deep infiltrating endometriosis

Ovarian endometriomas, also known as “chocolate cysts”, are large, fluid-filled cysts that form on the ovaries. These cysts contain menstrual debris that includes fragments of endometrial tissue, thickened blood, and inflammatory enzymes. These cysts may rupture leading to their content to spill and adhere to the walls of nearby organs within the abdominal cavity.

Deep infiltrating endometriosis is a highly invasive form of endometriosis. It can cause high levels of pelvic pain, anatomic distortion, and infertility. It most commonly impacts structures such as the pelvic ligaments/ organs, bowel, vagina, and bladder.

Has someone in your family suffered from either disease? Please do not hesitate to share your story by leaving a comment on our post on Facebook or Instagram if you wish.