PREVALENCE OF OVARIAN ENDOMETRIOSIS IN EPITHELIAL OVARIAN-CANCER

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the occurrence o f ovarian endometriosis in epithelial ovarian cancer in Japan. Method: The presence of ovarian endometriosis was determined by reviewing the sections of resected specimens in 172 epithelial ovarian cancers. Res ults: The incidence of ovarian endometriosis in ovarian cancer (14.5%) was higher than that in Western countries. The rank order of incidenc e of endometriosis in each histologic type was clear cell (40.6%) > en dometrioid (23.1%)> serous (8.7%) > mucinous (2.9%). The incidence in serous type was higher when compared with that reported in Western cou ntries. The higher incidence of endometriosis in Japan can be explaine d by a greater proportion of clear cell type, comprising 18.6% of all the cases and a higher incidence of endometriosis in the serous type. Conclusion: The association of ovarian endometriosis with epithelial o varian cancer was more frequently found in Japan. (C) 1997 Internation al Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.