What Women with Endometriosis Need to Know About Ovarian Cancer

A new study has recently found that there is a slightly increased risk of getting ovarian cancer if previous history of endometriosis is present. Though this isn't the first time the link has been implied, the recently published finding provide excellent evidence for understanding the strength of association between the two conditions.

New study finds link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer

Researchers at the University of Southern California recently studied the link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer. They compiled information from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium and studied data from over 23,000 women who have ovarian cancer.

Endometriosis increased risk of clear-cell ovarian cancer more than three times

Researchers found that women with this endometriosis have a three times greater risk of getting clear-cell ovarian cancer as well as twice the risk of getting a tumor in their endometrium. Lead author Dr. Celeste Leigh Pearce believes that their results strongly suggest that endometriosis may be a precursor lesion for the development of ovarian cancer. The findings also suggest a higher association than previously thought, and this knowledge could help gynecologists and other healthcare providers be more aware of this higher risk.

Clear-cell ovarian cancer is an aggressive, rare type of ovarian cancer

Clear cell ovarian cancer is a rare type of ovarian cancer, making up only 5% of ovarian cancer cases. However, it's a very aggressive type of cancer with a high mortality rate. Its association with endometriosis may help researchers figure out a better way to treat or prevent it altogether.

Endometriosis is a condition that affects the lining of the uterus

What is endometriosis? To understand this disorder, we first need to understand what the endometrium is. The endometrium is the tissue that lines your uterus and is also the reason why women get a menstrual cycle. Every month, the hormonal cycles in your body cause the endometrium to first grow and thicken, and then consequently slough off with menstruation. This cycling keeps the uterus conditioned for harboring a growing fetus.

Endometriosis occurs when there is uterine lining present in other areas of the body besides the uterus itself. Basically, the tissue is in the wrong location, but you still get menstrual cycles inducing the sloughing of the lining regardless. Then come symptoms of pain and cramping because the body isn't able to properly release the sloughing of this tissue. Women with this condition will suffer pain, irregular bleeding, and also have problems with conceiving. About 10% of women who are of childbearing age suffer from experience this condition.

Besides familial genetics, there are many other risk factors for endometriosis too

Endometriosis might run in families too. It turns out that if a woman has a family history of the condition, they have a much higher chance of getting it themselves too. Besides genetics, there are other risk factors that may increase a woman's chance of having endometriosis. These include being very young you get your first period, never getting pregnant and going through labor, and having frequent and long-lasting periods.

Read on to learn more about this link and what it means for women with endometriosis.