Endometriosis and gynaecological cancers: molecular insights behind a complex machinery

Prz Menopauzalny. 2021 Dec;20(4):201-206. doi: 10.5114/pm.2021.111276. Epub 2021 Dec 6.

Abstract

Endometriosis is described as the presence of both endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. A major characterization of this disease is ectopic implantation of endometrial cells with increased migration. It is one of the leading causes of morbidity among premenopausal women, with a prevalence of 10-16% of women of reproductive age. Despite over century of intensive research, none of the current treatment options represents a real cure. Based on the current knowledge, endometriosis, particularly its atypical version, is considered to be a transitional form from benign disease to tumour. However, the exact mechanisms of this conversion are still not fully established.

Keywords: cancer; endometriosis; ovarian cancer.

Publication types

  • Review