Association between tubal ligation and endometrial cancer

Abstract

Association between tubal ligation and endometrial cancerIn a previous issue of this periodical, Castellsagué et al. (1996) (Rosenblatt et al., 1996). Endometrioid and clear cell ovarian tumors, like those of the endometrium (Voigt and Weiss, 1989), may be subject to the influence of estrogens (Weiss et al., 1982;La Vecchia et al., 1982).We were, therefore, encouraged to investigate the association between tubal ligation and endometrial cancer to confirm or refute the findings of Castellsagué et al. (1996). The methods used in this study have been described previously (Rosenblatt et al., 1995 (Table II).Although tubal ligation appears to affect endogenous hormone levels, the direction of a potential alteration in the estrogen/progesterone ratio has been debated (Corson et al., 1981;Radwanska et al., 1982;Cattanach, 1985). Therefore, it is not clear how tubal ligation would be expected to affect the risk of endometrial cancer.The non-significant and opposite results of these 2 studies are strongly suggestive of the occurrence of random variation due to chance.Yours sincerely,

Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma Arising in an Adenomyoma of the Broad Ligament

“…Recent literature indicates that clear cell and low-grade endometrioid carcinoma develop from endometriosis; our case supports this observation. 1,[18][19][20] The possible pathogenesis of clear cell carcinoma from foci of endometriosis brings to the forefront the potential clinical implications of this theory. 1,[18][19][20] Patients with findings of significant endometriosis may be at higher risk of clear cell and endometrioid adenocarcinoma and should be followed carefully.…”

“…1,[18][19][20] The possible pathogenesis of clear cell carcinoma from foci of endometriosis brings to the forefront the potential clinical implications of this theory. 1,[18][19][20] Patients with findings of significant endometriosis may be at higher risk of clear cell and endometrioid adenocarcinoma and should be followed carefully. Because most of these tumors are diagnosed at advanced stage, these patients may also benefit from definitive surgery, including hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and resection of endometriosis on completion of childbearing.…”