Endometriosis: Etiology, pathobiology, and therapeutic prospects

Philippa T. K. Saunders, Andrew W. Horne
Cell · 2021 · doi:10.1016/j.cell.2021.04.041 · PMID:34048704
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This review examines the causes, biological mechanisms, diagnostic challenges, and current and future therapeutic options for endometriosis, a condition characterized by uterine tissue outside the uterus.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a common condition associated with infertility that causes chronic pain in many, but not all, women. It is defined by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. Although the cause and natural history of the disorder remain uncertain, hormonal, neurological, and immunological factors are all implicated in the mechanisms contributing to development of symptoms. Because definitive diagnosis requires surgery, there is often a long diagnostic delay after onset of symptoms. Current interventions for endometriosis have limited efficacy and unacceptable side effects/risks and are associated with high rates of symptom recurrence. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of the etiology of endometriosis, discuss current diagnostic and treatment strategies, highlight current clinical trials, and consider how recent results offer new avenues for the identification of endometriosis biomarkers and the development of effective non-surgical therapies that are fertility-sparing.

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Condition tags

endometriosischronic_pelvic_paininfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Adult Delayed Diagnosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Female Hormones Hormones Humans Inflammation Inflammation Middle Aged Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Surgical Procedures, Operative Surgical Procedures, Operative

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.

Cited by (10)

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