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Review | Language of literature searched | Type of studies included | Quality assessment tool used in the review | Overall results | Application of results |
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Ness 2003 [7] | English | In vitro, animal, clinical, and epidemiologic studies | Not specified | Consistent with the association between endometriosis and ovarian cancer. | Possible chemoprevention for women with endometriosis. |
Somigliana et al. 2006 [4] | English | Observational, cohort, and case-control | Studies have been critically analysed. | Increased risk of ovarian cancers: effect size: 1.3–1.9. | Modifications of the standard treatment options for the disease are not justifiable. |
Vigano et al. 2007 [8] | English | Observational, cohort, and case-control epidemiologic, biological, and genetic studies | Nineriteria, by Austin Bradford Hill [13] | The criterion of strength has not been fulfilled. There were insufficient data for four criteria, and four criteria were fulfilled. | The low magnitude of the risk observed is consistent with the view that ectopic endometrium undergoes malignant transformation with a frequency similar to its eutopic counterpart. |
Nezhat et al. 2008 [9] | English | Observational, cohort, and case-control epidemiologic, histopathological, and molecular studies | Not specified | Histological transition from benign endometriosis to ovarian malignancy. | The malignant potential of endometriosis holds serious implications for management. |
Baldi et al. 2008 [10] | English | Not specified | Not specified | Further epidemiological and genetic studies are required. | Appropriate physical screening and imaging testing are recommended. |
Vlahos et al. 2010 [11] | No search criteria specified | No search criteria specified | Not specified | Endometriosis is associated with specific types of ovarian cancer (endometrioid and clear cell). | More studies are needed to establish the risk factors that may lead to malignant transformation. |
Kobayashi 2010 [12] | English | Studies on screening, epidemiology, clinical diagnosis, natural history, preclinical and clinical trials, and promising molecular targets on epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). | Not specified | Ovarian endometrioma could be viewed as a neoplastic process. | Understanding the mechanisms of endometriosis development and elucidating its pathogenesis and pathophysiology are intrinsic to prevention. |
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