A woman with ovarian endometriosis may be at increased risk for developing an ovarian cancer.
Risk factors for ovarian cancer in a woman with endometriosis:
(1) age > 40 years
(2) large ovarian endometrioma (> 9 cm in diameter)
Types of ovarian cancer that may develop:
(1) clear cell carcinoma (predominant type)
(2) endometrioid
(3) serous cystadenocarcinoma or serous borderline tumors
(4) other
A woman with endometriosis may have a mild elevation of serum CA125 for several years. A sudden rise in serum levels may indicate the onset of an occult ovarian tumor, often a serous cystadenocarcinoma.
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