Endometriosis is defined as the presence and growth of the glands and stroma of the lining of the uterus in an aberrant or heterotopic location. The cause of endometriosis is uncertain and involves many mechanisms including retrograde menstruation, vascular dissemination, metaplasia, immunologic, and hormonal influences to name a few. Primary umbilical endometriosis is a rare disorder defined as the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue within the umbilicus. It commonly presents with catamenial pain and bleeding from an umbilical nodule. It is a rare condition and treatment has not been standardized yet due to the limited number of cases. Surgical management is the treatment of choice to avoid local recurrence while hormone therapy may be used preoperatively for symptomatic relief. This paper reports a series of recently observed cases of primary umbilical endometriosis with main aim of discussing the different approaches in the management of this rare condition.

practice guideline ; literature ; diagnosis ; endometriosis

Detection of an adnexal mass during pregnancy has increased during the last decade due to liberal use of sonographic examination during the first trimester. While most are benign or physiologic, the probability of a malignant tumor should always be considered. Deciduosis, a phenomenon related to pregnancy, refers to the presence of decidua outside the uterine cavity, most commonly seen within the pelvis. It is a benign condition, which usually regresses during the postpartum period. However, during pregnancy, this ectopic decidua may enlarge and mimic malignancy.
Endometriosis ; Pregnancy

Background: Current medical management of endometriosis leads to suppression of ovulation and will not be helpful for women with endometriosis who are desirous of pregnancy. Thus, drugs that can both treat endometriosis and its associated infertility are highly warranted. Objective: Anti-angiogenic agents are potential drugs for patients with endometriosis and infertility. Among these drugs, dopamine agonist (DA) is promising since it does not interfere with ovulation, is safe, and not teratogenic. The aim of the study is to determine the efficacy and safety of DA for improving reproductive outcomes in women with endometriosis and infertility. Methods: A qualitative narrative review was done from inception to July 31, 2022 using the appropriate MeSH terms in PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrial.gov, and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Date analysis was through qualitative analysis and synthesis of researches and their outcome measures. Results: No studies used the core outcomes for trials evaluating treatments for infertility associated with endometriosis. All the included articles in the review supported the possible anti-angiogenic effects of DA on the vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] /VEGF receptor system. The use of DA does not have an effect on ovulation and menstrual cyclicity. Studies on safety profile of DA were consistent with existing data. Conclusion Most of studies reviewed demonstrated that DA were effective in reducing endometriotic lesions. However, further research is required to establish whether this anti-angiogenic effect can improve reproductive outcomes in women with endometriosis-associated infertility.
Endometriosis ; Dopamine Agonists ; Infertility ; Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors

INTRODUCTION: To compare epidemiological features and clinical presentations of deep infiltrating endometriosis with endometrioma and adenomyosis, as well as to identify risk factors for the respective histologically confirmed conditions. METHOD: Patients undergoing index surgery at the National University Hospital, Singapore for endometriosis or adenomyosis over a 7-year period-from 2015 to 2021-were identified from hospital databases using the Table of Surgical Procedures coding. Social and epidemiological features of cases with histologically confirmed diagnoses of endometrioma only, adenomyosis only, and deep infiltrating endometriosis were compared. Significant variables from univariate analysis were entered into 3 binary multivariate logistic regression models to obtain independent risk factors for: deep infiltrating endometriosis versus endometrioma only, deep infiltrating endometriosis versus adenomyosis only, and adenomyosis only versus endometrioma only. RESULTS: A total of 258 patients were included with 59 ovarian endometrioma only, 47 adenomyosis only, and 152 deep infiltrating endometrioses. Compared to endometrioma only, deep infiltrating endometriosis was associated with higher rates of severe dysmenorrhoea (odds ratio [OR] 2.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-7.70) and out-of-pocket private surgical care (OR 4.72, 95% CI 1.85-12.04). Compared to adenomyosis only, deep infiltrating endometriosis was associated with a higher fertility desire (OR 13.47, 95% CI 1.01-180.59) and a lower body mass index (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.79-0.99). In contrast, heavy menstrual bleeding was the hallmark of adenomyosis, being less common in patients with endometriosis. CONCLUSION Deep infiltrating endometriosis is associated with severe dysmenorrhoea, pain related to urinary and gastrointestinal tracts, higher fertility desire and infertility rate. Patients with pain symptomatology and subfertility should be referred early to a tertiary centre with the capability to diagnose and manage deep infiltrating endometriosis.
Female ; Humans ; Endometriosis/surgery* ; Adenomyosis/surgery* ; Dysmenorrhea/etiology* ; Risk Factors ; Databases, Factual

Epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression and function without alterations in gene sequences,including DNA methylation,histone modification,and non-coding RNAs.Endometriosis is a benign gynecological disease that affects the fertility and health of reproductive-age women,the etiology of which remains unclear.The recent studies have demonstrated that epigenetics plays a key role in the occurrence and development of endometriosis.This article reviews the research progress in the regulatory mechanism and application of epigenetics in endometriosis.
Female ; Humans ; Endometriosis/genetics* ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; DNA Methylation ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational

Primary endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the rectovaginal septum is rare. Its pathogenesis is not clear and there is no standard treatment. One patient with endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the rectovaginal septum arising from deep infiltrative endometriosis was admitted to Qingdao Municipal Hospital. The patient presented with incessant menstruation and abdominal distension. She had bilateral ovarian endometriotic cystectomy 6 years ago. Imaging findings suggested a pelvic mass which might invade the rectovaginal septum. Pathological results of primary surgery confirmed endometrioid carcinoma of the pelvic mass arising from the rectovaginal septum. Then she had a comprehensive staged surgery. Postoperative chemotherapy was given 6 times. No recurrence or metastasis was found during the 2-year follow-up. The possibility of deep infiltrating endometriosis and its malignant transformation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a new extragonadal pelvic lesion in a patient with a history of endometriosis, which would avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.
Female ; Humans ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid/surgery* ; Endometriosis/surgery* ; Rectum ; Vagina ; Cystectomy

Objective: To investigate the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging characteristics and clinical symptoms and therapeutic efficacy in adenomyosis patients. Methods: The clinical characteristics of the adenomyosis questionnaire was self-designed. This was a retrospective study. From September 2015 to September 2020, totally 459 patients were diagnosed with adenomyosis and underwent pelvic MRI examination at Peking University Third Hospital. Clinical characteristics and treatment were collected, MRI was used to determine the lesion location, and to measure the maximum lesion thickness, the maximum myometrium thickness, uterine cavity length, uterine volume, the minimum distance between the lesion and serosa or endometrium, and whether combined with ovarian endometrioma. The difference of MRI imaging characteristics in patients with adenomyosis and its relationship with clinical symptoms and therapeutic efficacy were analyzed. Results: (1) Among the 459 patients, the age was (39.1±6.4) years. There were 376 patients (81.9%, 376/459) with dysmenorrhea. Whether patients had dysmenorrhea were related to uterine cavity length, uterine volume, ratio of the maximum lesion thickness to the maximum myometrium thickness, and whether patients had ovarian endometrioma (all P<0.001). Multivariate analysis suggested that ovarian endometrioma was the risk factor for dysmenorrhea (OR=0.438, 95%CI: 0.226-0.850, P=0.015). There were 195 patients (42.5%, 195/459) with menorrhagia. Whether patients had menorrhagia were related to age, whether patients had ovarian endometrioma, uterine cavity length, the minimum distance between lesion and endometrium or serosa, uterine volume, ratio of the maximum lesion thickness to the maximum myometrium thickness (all P<0.001). Multivariate analysis suggested that ratio of the maximum lesion thickness to the maximum myometrium thickness was the risk factor for menorrhagia (OR=774.791, 95%CI: 3.500-1.715×10⁵, P=0.016). There were 145 patients (31.6%, 145/459) with infertility. Whether the patients had infertility were related to age, the minimum distance between lesion and endometrium or serosa, and whether patients had ovarian endometrioma (all P<0.01). Multivariate analysis suggested that young and large uterine volume were risk factors for infertility (OR=0.845, 95%CI: 0.809-0.882, P<0.001; OR=1.001, 95%CI: 1.000-1.002, P=0.009). (2) The success rate of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) was 39.2% (20/51). Dysmenorrhea, high maximum visual analogue scale score and large uterine volume affected the success rate of IVF-ET (all P<0.05). The smaller the maximum lesion thickness, the smaller the distance between the lesion and serosa, the larger the distance between the lesion and endometrium, the smaller the uterine volume, and the smaller the ratio of the maximum lesion thickness to the maximum myometrium thickness, the better the therapeutic efficacy of progesterones (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Concomitant ovarian endometrioma increases the risk of dysmenorrhea in patients with adenomyosis. The ratio of the maximum lesion thickness to the maximum myometrium thickness is an independent risk factor for menorrhagia. Young and large uterine volume may increase the risk of infertility. Severe dysmenorrhea and large uterine volume affect the success rate of IVF-ET. The therapeutic efficacy of progesterones is relatively better when the lesion is small and far away from the endometrium.
Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Adenomyosis/pathology* ; Dysmenorrhea/therapy* ; Menorrhagia/pathology* ; Endometriosis/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Infertility/complications* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Female ; Humans ; Adenomyosis/surgery* ; Endometriosis/diagnosis* ; Early Diagnosis ; Attention

Objective: To investigate the familial heritability of endometriosis and to compare the clinical characteristics of patients with or without a family history of endometriosis. Methods: From January 2020 to June 2022, 850 patients with endometriosis confirmed by laparotomy or laparoscopy in Peking University Third Hospital were included in this study. Clinical data were collected, family history was followed up, and the differences of clinical indicators between patients with and without family history of endometriosis were compared. Results: A total of 850 patients were enrolled, with an average age of (33.8±7.0) years old, 315 (37.1%, 315/850) patients in stage Ⅲ and 496 (58.4%, 496/850) patients in stage Ⅳ. There were 100 patients with family history of endometriosis, accounting for 11.8% (100/850). Most of the 113 relatives involved were mothers, daughters and sisters (76.1%, 86/113), 81.5% (22/27) of the second and third degree relatives were maternal relatives. The median ages of patients with and without family history of endometriosis were 30 and 33 years old respectively at the time of diagnosis. The unmarried rate of patients with family history was higher [42.0% (42/100) vs 26.3% (197/750)]. The percentage of dysmenorrhea patients with family history was higher [89.0% (89/100) vs 55.5% (416/750)]. The medians of dysmenorrhea score in patients with and without family history were 6 and 2, and the median durations of dysmenorrhea were 10 and 1 years. There were significant differences in age, marital status, percentage of dysmenorrhea, dysmenorrhea score and duration (all P<0.001). The median levels of serum cancer antigen (CA) 125 in patients with family history and patients without family history at the time of diagnosis were 57.5 and 46.9 kU/L respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in nationality, bady mass index, menarche age, menstrual cycle, menstrual period, menstrual volume, serum CA_19-9 level, cyst location and size, stage, history of adverse pregnancy and childbirth, infertility, adenomyosis and deep infiltrating endometriosis (all P>0.05). By comparing the specific conditions of dysmenorrhea patients with and without family history of endometriosis, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the age of onset of dysmenorrhea, duration of dysmenorrhea, primary and secondary dysmenorrhea, and progressive aggravation of dysmenorrhea (all P>0.05). The difference in the degree of dysmenorrhea in dysmenorrhea patients with family history of endometriosis was significant (P<0.001). Conclusions: The incidence of endometriosis has a familial tendency, and most of the involved relatives are the first degree relatives. Compared with patients without family history of endometriosis, endometriosis patients with family history are diagnosed at an earlier age, with higher percentage of dysmenorrhea, had more severe dysmenorrhea and higher serum CA₁₂₅ level.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Endometriosis/complications* ; Dysmenorrhea/etiology* ; Menstruation ; Menstrual Cycle ; Adenomyosis/complications*