Is Endometriosis a cancer?

Answer 1

What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a puzzling disease affecting women in their reproductive years. The name comes from the word "endometrium," which is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus and builds up and sheds each month in the menstrual cycle. In endometriosis, tissue like the endometrium is found outside the uterus, in other areas of the body. In these locations outside the uterus, the endometrial tissue develops into what are called "nodules," "tumors," "lesions," "implants," or "growths." These growths can cause pain, infertility, and other problems.

Ovarian cancer sometimes has the same symptoms as endometriosis, and hormonal treatment (particularly estrogen), which is common in treating endometriosis, could cause a cancer to grow even faster. A laparoscopy also indicates the locations, extent, and size of the growths and may help the doctor and patient make better informed, long-range decisions about treatment and pregnancy.

Another assumption that has at times been made about endometriosis is that it is not a serious disease because it is not a killer like cancer, for instance. However, anyone who has talked with many women with endometriosis about their actual experiences with the condition soon learns that while some women's lives are relatively unaffected by it, especially in the early stages

So only an Oncologist (Preferably Surgical Oncologist) can evaluate the condition and confirm if it is Cancer or not. The chances are 50:50. Hence all precautions should be taken as CANCER IS STILL AN ENIGMA-

Answer 2

Endometriosis is when uterine tissue is growing on parts of the reproductive system where it doesn't usually grow. But it reacts the same way as your uterine lining. So when it's time to shed the lining every month those other tissues also try to shed, but there's no place for them to leave the body from. The cycle of the tissue growing during the month and then trying to shed is what causes the severe pain and cysts that change size. The right birth control pill will make endometriosis symptoms improve. It regulates your hormones and usually makes your periods less severe. So the uterine tissue growing in the wrong place calms down a bit, and that gets rid of some of the pain. Sometimes it takes a little experimenting to find which birth control pill will work best for you. There's a lot of different kinds of birth control pills. After they figure out if it is endometriosis talk to your doctor about the different pills you can try. I can only imagine how painful it's been for you. I hope you find something that works for you soon.

Answer 3

Absolutely not.

However, women with Endometriosis are predisposed to a higher risk of certain cancers vs. the general population. Studies have revealed that women and girls with Endo have an elevated rate of cancers of the breast, ovaries, blood and lymph systems, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The cause of the relationship between the 2 is unclear. The association may be due to drugs or surgery used to treat the condition rather than Endometriosis itself, and only women with higher stages (3 and 4) seem to have the excess risk

- American Journal ofObstetrics and Gynecology

Answer 4

Endometriosis is a condition where the uteran lining tissue appears in other places, and causes internal bleeding and scarring when it breaks down (during your period).

Meanwhile, cancer occurs through a certain division of cells that allows the "sick" cells to attack/destroy tissue in the body.

Very basically speaking, the big deal-breaker in endometriosis not being classifiable as a cancer is that endo is a problem with tissue appearing in the wrong place. The breakdown of that tissue is the part that happens in a healthy person as well -- it's just what is supposed to happen during a woman's period. In cancer, the breakdown of the tissue is the part that needs to be worried about.

Answer 5

Women who have endometriosis appear to have a higher risk of developing several different kinds of cancer.

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Answer 6

No it is not cancer. It is growth of endometrium, which should only be in the lining of the uterus, in other areas. Usually confined to the pelvic/abdominal area but can spread further. It still needs to be treated even though not a cancer.

Answer 7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometriosis

Answer 8

Not Always.

Answer 9

no