The Association Between Endometriosis and Surface Epithelial Ovarian Tumors: A Review of Pathological Data

Abstract

Background: Endometriosis is a prevalent benign condition arising from female reproductive system and affects about 7% to 10% of females. The association of this disorder with epithelial ovarian tumors has been a matter of interest in gynecology. Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the association between endometriosis and different types of surface epithelial ovarian tumor. Methods: Microscopic slides of 182 cases with the diagnosis of surface epithelial ovarian carcinoma and borderline tumor from 2007 to 2014 were reviewed for the presence of endometriosis in a tertiary gynecological center. Additional data included age, tumor size and laterality, site of endometriosis, presence of atypical endometriosis, and concomitant uterine endometrial carcinoma. Results: Endometriosis was found in 32 out of the 182 (17.58%) of reviewed ovarian epithelial tumor cases. They included endometrioid carcinoma (46.87%), clear cell carcinoma (18.75%), borderline epithelial tumor (31.25%), and low-grade serous papillary carcinoma (3.12%). Conclusions: Endometrioid and clear cell types of ovarian tumors were most frequently associated with endometriosis.