Purpose: To examine the current mechanisms of the increased incidence of cancer in women with endometriosis.
Methods: The synthesis and review of the relevant current literature in English language.
Results: Compared with general population, women with endometriosis have two times higher risk for developing ovarian cancer, 30% higher risk for developing breast cancer, and 40% higher risk for developing hematopoietic malignancies, mainly non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Conclusions: Endometriosis comprises many predisposing factors including genetic, epigenetic, local environmental, hormonal, inflammatory and immunologic changes, for the development of some cancers.