Scholarlink

Purpose <p>Many women suffer from hyperandrogenic conditions during their lifespan. The most prevalent is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive derangements in women of reproductive age. Endometrial cancer of epithelial origin (EC) is among the most common malignancies affecting women’s reproductive systems. It has been suggested that androgens are involved in the development of endometrial hyperplasia and EC. Our narrative review aims to analyze the possible relationship between hyperandrogenic states in women and EC onset through risk assessment providing possible pathophysiological explanations.</p> Methods <p>A MEDLINE and PubMed search for the years 1990–2024 was performed using a combination of keywords. Scientific articles on EC in patients with PCOS, hyperandrogenism-insulin resistance-acanthosis nigricans (HAIR-AN), and non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) were analyzed.</p> Results <p>There is controversy regarding the relationship between the role of androgens associated with the EC. Despite the fact that most of the epidemiological research linked PCOS to the onset of EC, it has been proposed that various androgen types have varying impacts on the development of EC, both prooncogenic and antioncogenic. Furthermore, elevated androgen levels are not the sole cause of EC in hyperandrogenic states; EC may be associated with metabolic pathway dysfunction and microbiota alteration related to hyperandrogenism.</p> Conclusion <p>The hyperandrogenic milieu may represent a risk factor for the development of EC. Thus, investigation into potential biomarkers for EC in PCOS women and women with other hyperandrogenic states as well as routine examination of these patients for endometrial hyperplasia and cancer are vital to effectively shape the future of EC screening and treatment.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Is there an association between hyperandrogenic states in women and endrometrial cancer? A narrative review

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月24日

查看全文
  • Radmila Sparić,
  • Mladen Andjić,
  • Andrea Tinelli,
  • Giovanni Pecorella,
  • Dušan Ilić,
  • Sarantis Livadas,
  • Lena Radić,
  • George Mastorakos,
  • Jelica Bjekic-Macut

摘要

Purpose

Many women suffer from hyperandrogenic conditions during their lifespan. The most prevalent is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive derangements in women of reproductive age. Endometrial cancer of epithelial origin (EC) is among the most common malignancies affecting women’s reproductive systems. It has been suggested that androgens are involved in the development of endometrial hyperplasia and EC. Our narrative review aims to analyze the possible relationship between hyperandrogenic states in women and EC onset through risk assessment providing possible pathophysiological explanations.

Methods

A MEDLINE and PubMed search for the years 1990–2024 was performed using a combination of keywords. Scientific articles on EC in patients with PCOS, hyperandrogenism-insulin resistance-acanthosis nigricans (HAIR-AN), and non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) were analyzed.

Results

There is controversy regarding the relationship between the role of androgens associated with the EC. Despite the fact that most of the epidemiological research linked PCOS to the onset of EC, it has been proposed that various androgen types have varying impacts on the development of EC, both prooncogenic and antioncogenic. Furthermore, elevated androgen levels are not the sole cause of EC in hyperandrogenic states; EC may be associated with metabolic pathway dysfunction and microbiota alteration related to hyperandrogenism.

Conclusion

The hyperandrogenic milieu may represent a risk factor for the development of EC. Thus, investigation into potential biomarkers for EC in PCOS women and women with other hyperandrogenic states as well as routine examination of these patients for endometrial hyperplasia and cancer are vital to effectively shape the future of EC screening and treatment.