title: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and uterine fibroids.
abstract: Uterine fibroids are the most frequent gynecologic tumor, affecting 70% to 80% of women over their lifetime. Although these tumors are benign, they can cause significant morbidity and may require invasive treatments such as myomectomy and hysterectomy. Many risk factors for these tumors have been identified, including environmental exposures to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as genistein and diethylstilbestrol. Uterine development may be a particularly sensitive window to environmental exposures, as some perinatal EDC exposures have been shown to increase tumorigenesis in both rodent models and human epidemiologic studies. The mechanisms by which EDC exposures may increase tumorigenesis are still being elucidated, but epigenetic reprogramming of the developing uterus is an emerging hypothesis. Given the remarkably high incidence of uterine fibroids and their significant impact on women's health, understanding more about how prenatal exposures to EDCs (and other environmental agents) may increase fibroid risk could be key to developing prevention and treatment strategies in the future.
authors.affiliation: Health Science Center, Institute of Biotechnology, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Texas A&M University, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Tiffany A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Qiwei
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Health Science Center, Institute of Biotechnology, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Texas A&M University, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Lindsey S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Treviño
authors.affiliation: Health Science Center, Institute of Biotechnology, Center for Translational Cancer Research, Texas A&M University, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Cheryl Lyn
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia. Electronic address: aalhendy@augusta.edu.
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Hendy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming / Q000187:drug effects; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals; uterine fibroids