Editorial
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Oncol. Dec 10, 2014; 5(5): 800-805
Published online Dec 10, 2014. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i5.800
Endometriosis and ovarian cancer
Milena Králíčková, Vaclav Vetvicka
Milena Králíčková, Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Plzen CZ-301 00, Czech Republic
Milena Králíčková, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Plzen CZ-301 66, Czech Republic
Milena Králíčková, Biomedical Centre, Faculty of Medicine in Plzen, Charles University, Plzen CZ-301 66, Czech Republic
Vaclav Vetvicka, Department of Pathology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
Author contributions: Both authors contributed equally to this paper.
Correspondence to: Vaclav Vetvicka, PhD, Professor of Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Louisville, 511 S. Floyd, Louisville, KY 40202, United States. vaclav.vetvicka@louisville.edu
Telephone: +1-502-8521612 Fax: +1-502-8521177
Received: July 11, 2014
Revised: September 18, 2014
Accepted: November 7, 2014
Published online: December 10, 2014
Processing time: 153 Days and 12.7 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease, which, despite intensive research in the last decades, is still not fully explained. In addition, many questions remain to be answered as to the exact events leading from cysts to endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer. Surprisingly, having endometriosis might be less risky than undergoing in vitro fertilization, which can increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Our review summarizes current hypothesis on probable mechanisms and attributing factors such as longstanding estrogen stimulation, repeated heavy menstruation and early events on the molecular level. Thus far, however, no single one can be used for diagnosis or treatment.