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MINI REVIEW article

Front. Oncol.
Sec. Gynecological Oncology
Volume 14 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1475231

Advances in Research on Malignant Transformation of Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer

Provisionally accepted
Fang Chen Fang Chen 1Mengying Zhu Mengying Zhu 2*Wenjuan Li Wenjuan Li 1*
  • 1 The People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
  • 2 Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Endometriosis (EMs) is a prevalent chronic gynecological condition that depends on estrogen, marked by the presence of active endometrial tissue (glands and stroma) outside the uterus. Although pathologically benign, it exhibits biological behaviors such as invasion and metastasis akin to malignant tumors. Endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinoma (EAOC), arising from malignant transformation of EMs, poses significant clinical challenges. However, the mechanisms underlying EAOC pathogenesis remain incompletely understood, with a lack of reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies. Considering the significant number of EMs patients and the extended period during which malignant transformation can occur, EAOC deserves significant attention. Current research both domestically and internationally indicates that the pathogenesis of EAOC is complex, involving genetic mutations, immune microenvironment, oxidative stress, epigenetic changes, and related areas. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying the development of EAOC.

    Keywords: Endometriosis, Endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinoma, malignant transformation, Ovarian clear cell carcinoma, Ovarian endometrioid carcinoma

    Received: 03 Aug 2024; Accepted: 10 Sep 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Chen, Zhu and Li. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Mengying Zhu, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
    Wenjuan Li, The People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.