Endometriosis May Quadruple Ovarian Cancer Risk

New Research Highlights Increased Risk for Women with Endometriosis

Women with endometriosis are about four times more likely to develop ovarian cancer than those without the condition, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on July 17. The risk is even higher for women with severe endometriosis, who are nearly ten times more likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Despite this increased risk, experts emphasize that ovarian cancer remains rare. Approximately 1.1% of American women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in their lifetime, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Senior study author Karen Schliep, an associate professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine, noted that due to the rarity of ovarian cancer, the increased risk from endometriosis translates to only 10 to 20 additional cancer cases per 10,000 women. Schliep advises that current clinical care and policy should not change, and prevention strategies should focus on exercise, not smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption.

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Understanding Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common and often painful condition where uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. It affects more than 11% of women aged 15 to 44, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

What Should Women with Endometriosis Do?

Women with endometriosis should be vigilant for symptoms of ovarian cancer, including bloating, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel or bladder function, advises Dr. BJ Rimel, a gynecologic oncologist at Cedars-Sinai. Oral contraceptives can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by 50% and may be recommended for treatment or contraception.

Study Findings

Researchers analyzed data on nearly 500,000 women in Utah, ages 18 to 55. They found that women with endometriosis have a 4.2-fold higher risk of all types of ovarian cancer. The risk of type I ovarian cancer was especially high, at 7.5-fold, while type II ovarian cancer was 2.7 times more likely.

Women with severe endometriosis, such as deep infiltrating endometriosis or ovarian endometriomas, faced a 9.7-fold higher risk of ovarian cancer compared to those without endometriosis.

Dr. Michael McHale from the University of California, San Diego, noted the importance of counseling women with severe endometriosis about their increased risk. He highlighted that while the overall number of ovarian cancer cases remains low, the increased risk is significant.

Dr. Tatnai Burnett from the Mayo Clinic emphasized that while the risk is higher, it remains relatively low overall. He noted that current recommendations, including ultrasound monitoring for women with endometriomas, are sufficient and do not require universal screening for all endometriosis patients.

For more information on ovarian cancer, visit the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.

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References

• National Cancer Institute
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Journal of the American Medical Association
• CNN Interviews with Dr. BJ Rimel, Dr. Michael McHale, and Dr. Tatnai Burnett