A rare case of a synchronous endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the ovary and of eutopic endometrium in a patient with endometriosis

Abstract

Malignant transformation of endometriosis is a rare, documented complication of endometriosis. Endometriosis shares characteristics with malignancy and has biological systems central to its progression and malignant transformation. Evidence has emerged on the role of the fallopian tube in endometriosis and ovarian cancer. This has led to a paradigm shift in how the fallopian tube is viewed. This is a case of endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the ovary arising from endometriosis, occurring synchronously in eutopic endometrium. There is agreement on the risk factors of malignant transformation of endometriosis which should assist in clinical vigilance and screening of ovarian cancer associated with endometriosis. Although most ovarian malignancies require aggressive therapy, endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer appears to be less aggressive, is diagnosed early and has a better prognosis and overall survival.

Keywords

Endometriosis ovarian carcinoma malignant transformation

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