Fact or Myth? Endometriosis is cancerous.

So far, a myth.

At this time, it does not appear that Endometriosis is cancerous. Women’s Health U.K. puts it very well:

“Endometriosis is often compared to cancers that affect the female reproductive system, such as ovarian cancer and uterine cancer. This is because both endometriosis and reproductive cancers are characterized by cell invasion and abnormal cell growths. However, endometriosis is not cancer, and the growths associated with endometriosis are benign.

“Endometriosis is characterized by the growth of normal tissue that is usually found in the lining of the uterus, known as endometrial tissue, on the outside of the uterus or on nearby reproductive organs. Endometriosis is a medical condition that features symptoms that may be similar to those of cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancer symptoms, and for this reason the conditions are often linked. Endometriosis does not lead to cancer; however, some medical research suggests that endometriosis may slightly increase the risks of cancer in women.”

A research study out of Huddinge University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden found that women with Endometriosis are more at risk for developing certain types of cancers than women who do not have Endometriosis. It is important to note that whether or not one has endometriosis, there is a general risk throughout life of developing a cancer. The types of cancers that women with endometriosis are more likely to develop over other cancers are:

• Ovarian cancer – roughly 50% increase
• Endocrine cancer – about 30% increase
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – about 25% increase
• Brain tumour – approximately 20% increase

*** Note that in this study, the risk of cervical cancer fell by roughly 30%

Women’s Health U.K. goes on to say:

“the increase in risk is small, and is especially so when considering some of the low risks of developing certain types of ovarian and uterine cancers in the population as a whole.

“Breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are associated with non-ovarian endometriosis, while a slight increase in the risk of developing ovarian cancer is associated with ovarian endometriosis. Women who have undergone a hysterectomy as part of endometriosis treatment were not found to be at the same increased risk of developing cancer.

“It is important to keep in mind that the connection between endometriosis and cancer is not well understood, and requires further medical research.”