New insights about endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer: pathogenesis, risk factors, prediction and diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that the risk of malignant transformation of endometriosis in premenopausal women is approximately 1%, significantly impacting the overall well-being and quality of life of affected women. Presently, the diagnostic gold standard for endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) continues to be invasive laparoscopy followed by histological examination. However, the application of this technique is limited due to its high cost, highlighting the importance of identifying a non-invasive diagnostic approach. Therefore, there is a critical need to explore non-invasive diagnostic methods to improve diagnostic precision and optimize clinical outcomes for patients. This review presents a comprehensive survey of the current progress in comprehending the pathogenesis of malignant transformation in endometriosis. Furthermore, it examines the most recent research discoveries concerning the diagnosis of EAOC and emphasizes potential targets for therapeutic intervention. The ultimate objective is to improve prevention, early detection, precise diagnosis, and treatment approaches, thereby optimizing the clinical outcomes for patients.

Genetic Links between Endometriosis and Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer—A Narrative Review (Endometriosis-Associated Cancer)

“…About one thousand miRNAs have been cloned in the human genome, and they usually act in concert to modify the expression of the target mRNA. They have been recognized to have a role in the malignant transformation of endometriosis [ 97 ].…”