Mismatch repair protein deficiency in endometriosis: Precursor of endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer in women with lynch syndrome

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer through the loss of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins in women with Lynch syndrome (LS) in this report. Case report: Two women with LS underwent surgery for synchronous endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer. In both cases, immunohistochemical examination showed concomitant MMR protein deficiency in endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and contiguous ovarian endometriosis. In Case 1, the macroscopically normal ovary included multiple endometrioses with MSH2 and MSH6 expression, and FIGO grade 1 endometrioid carcinoma and contiguous endometriosis without MSH2 and MSH6 expression. In Case 2, all endometriotic cells contiguous with carcinoma in the lumen of the ovarian cyst showed loss of the expression of MSH2 and MSH6. Conclusion: Ovarian endometriosis with MMR protein deficiency may progress to endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer in women with LS. Diagnosing endometriosis in women with LS during surveillance is important.

Keywords

• Lynch syndrome
• Endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer
• Mismatch repair protein deficiency
• Ovarian endometriosis