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Cancer Cells in Endometrial Cysts Could Lead to Earlier Ovarian Cancer Detection
Researchers have found that endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) often occurs within 36 months of follow-up for endometrial cysts, leading them to suggest that cancer cells may already be present in endometrial cysts (Int J Clin Oncol. 2020;25[1]:51-58).
“[EAOC], most commonly clear cell carcinoma, is believed to develop from ovarian endometrial cysts,” wrote Kosuke Murakami, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan and co-investigators, who reviewed published cases of EAOC occurring since January 2000 and considered to have developed from endometrial cysts, and focused on the observation period.
A total of 79 cases were identified from 32 articles. Dr Murakami et al calculated the period from the start of follow-up for endometrial cysts to the point of ovarian cancer diagnosis.
According to the findings, the median period from the diagnosis of endometrial cysts to the diagnosis of ovarian cancer was 36 months.
Of the cases they observed, approximately 75% developed into cancer within 60 months; most developed within 120 months.
“Our results suggest that clinically detectable cysts subsequently diagnosed as ovarian cancer might already have contained cancer cells,” Dr Murakami et al wrote.
“Therefore, the mechanism of EAOC development needs to be re-examined and appropriate management guidelines need to be developed,” they concluded.—Kaitlyn Manasterski
