Should Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer Alter the Management of Women with an Intact Endometrioma in the Reproductive Age?

Abstract

Endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) is an evolving clinical entity believed to develop from ovarian endometriosis. Continuous efforts are nowadays invested in exploring its pathogenesis and causality. Since endometrioma is a widespread sub-type of the disease, malignant transformation to EAOC during reproductive age may cause much concern and affect its management. The summary relative risk of developing EAOC in women with endometriosis is 1.93-fold compared to women without endometriosis, but its lifetime risk is relatively low, equivalent to 2.1%. EAOC is an age-dependent disease with a mean age of 51.64 ± 3.24 years at diagnosis; 30.68% of patients are below 50, presumably premenopausal. Only 2.10% and 0.017% of cases are below 45 and 40 years, apparently in reproductive age. The evidence is reassuring and implies that managing an intact endometrioma should not be altered in most women of reproductive age. Particular attention should be focused on sporadic cases with an enlarging endometrioma, atypical findings on transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS), and characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features.