OncoLink en espanõl
Cancer Resources > Cancer News > 2006 > August
Genetic evidence supports endometriosis as ovarian cancer precursor
Last Updated: 2006-08-04 10:41:05 -0400 (Reuters Health)
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The results of a study provide "convincing" molecular genetic evidence that endometriosis is a precursor to ovarian cancer, UK and US collaborators report in the August 1st issue of the International Journal of Cancer.
Despite consistent histological and epidemiological evidence linking these two diseases, it is still unclear whether endometriosis is a precursor to endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) or whether the there is an indirect link because similar factors predispose to both diseases, Dr. Amanda H. Prowse from the University of Oxford, and colleagues note in their report.
They analyzed 10 EAOCs (4 endometroid and 6 clear cell) with coexisting endometriosis for common molecular genetic changes in the tumor and corresponding endometriosis samples.
The team detected 63 loss of heterozygosity (LOH) events in the carcinoma samples; 22 of these were also found in the corresponding endometriosis samples.
"In each case, the same allele was lost in the endometriosis and cancer samples," they report.
Moreover, statistical analyses suggest that it is "very unlikely that these common genetic alterations have occurred as independent events," the investigators report, "and therefore we have provided evidence that endometriosis can be a clonal precursor to EAOCs."
Dr. Prowse and colleagues say additional studies are needed to determine how molecular markers of progression can be used to identify women with endometriosis who have an increased risk of EAOC.
Int J Cancer 2006;119:556-562.
Copyright © 2010 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.