Endometriosis, fibroma increase the risk for melanoma

January 1, 2008

The results of a 12-year prospective study involving almost 100,000 French women provides the strongest evidence to date indicating that a history of endometriosis increases a woman's risk for melanoma by 62%.

Supporting previous research that links endometriosis and melanoma, the results of a 12-year prospective study involving almost 100,000 French women provides the strongest evidence to date to indicates that a history of endometriosis increases a woman's risk for melanoma by 62% (RR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.15-2.29).

The study also reports a previously unsuspected association-that women with a history of fibroma are also at greater risk for the skin cancer (RR 1.33; 95% CI, 1.06–1.67).

No associations were found between histories of ovarian cyst, uterine polyp, breast adenoma/fibroadenoma, or breast fibrocystic disease and melanoma.

Kvaskoff M, Mesrine S, Fournier A, et al. Personal history of endometriosis and risk of cutaneous melanoma in a large prospective cohort of French women. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167:2061-2065.