Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Craig A Witz
Gynecologic and obstetric investigation · 2002 · vol. 53(Suppl. 1) , pp. 52–62 · doi:10.1159/000049425 · PMID:11834869 · W2022712236
review OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 58 in-corpus citations
View on OpenAlex View on PubMed View at publisher
⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This review examines theories on the histogenesis of endometriosis, focusing on the role of the immune system, local peritoneal factors, and the critical interaction between endometrial cells and peritoneal mesothelium, including adhesion molecules.

One-sentence paraphrase of the abstract; not a substitute for reading it. No clinical advice. How this works

Abstract

Various theories have been promulgated to explain the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Interest in the genesis of the endometriotic lesion has been a focus since the earliest investigations. More recently, investigators have addressed aspects of the immune system and local peritoneal factors that may be involved with both the histogenesis of endometriosis as well as its sequelae. This review will consider evidence for different theories of histogenesis and will discuss our current understanding of the contribution of the immune system to the etiology of endometriosis. Data will be presented regarding recently described models of the early endometriotic lesion. The interaction of endometrial cells with the peritoneal mesothelium seems critical to our understanding the formation of the early endometriotic lesion. Evidence of rapid transmesothelial migration and invasion of the peritoneum will be considered. As well, candidate adhesion molecules that may facilitate the initial binding of endometrium to the peritoneum will be discussed.

My notes (saved in your browser only)

Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Immunity, Cellular Ascitic Fluid Ascitic Fluid Cytokines Cytokines Endometriosis Female Humans Immunity, Cellular Killer Cells, Natural Killer Cells, Natural Leukocytes Leukocytes Prognosis Risk Factors Severity of Illness Index

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (100)

Cited by (50)

Source provenance

europepmc
last seen: 2026-06-04T01:30:01.192114+00:00
openalex
last seen: 2026-06-04T00:00:01.174412+00:00
pubmed
last seen: 2026-05-13T22:13:13.417725+00:00
unpaywall
last seen: 2026-06-02T02:00:03.124865+00:00
License: CC0 · commercial use OK