Malignant chest wall endometriosis: a case report and literature review

J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2009 Jun;31(6):538-541. doi: 10.1016/S1701-2163(16)34217-7.

Abstract

Background: Endometriosis usually affects women in their reproductive years. Most commonly, the pelvic organs are involved. Involvement of the chest wall after hysterectomy is rare. The incidence of malignant transformation is less than 1% for ovarian endometriosis, but is unknown for extraovarian endometriosis.

Case: A 47-year-old woman who had undergone hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for endometriosis presented four years after surgery with a well-differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma arising in the background of endometriosis in the right chest wall. The tumour was resected, and the patient received six courses of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusion: Women with endometriosis-associated cancer require individualized management options, depending upon the histopathology and stage of the cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / pathology*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic*
  • Endometriosis / pathology
  • Endometriosis / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Thoracic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Thoracic Wall / pathology*