S3736 Hematochezia After Hysterectomy: Unusual Presentation of Rectosigmoid Endometriosis

In: American Journal of Gastroenterology · 2025 · vol. 120(10S2) , pp. S802 · doi:10.14309/01.ajg.0001142404.50433.9a · W4415540202
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A 49-year-old woman with prior hysterectomy for endometriosis presented with hematochezia, where colonoscopic resection of a rectosigmoid polyp confirmed rare mucosal endometriosis involving the bowel wall.

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This case report describes a 49-year-old woman with persistent hematochezia and a history of hysterectomy for fibroids and endometriosis. Diagnostic colonoscopy identified a friable recto-sigmoid polyp, which was subsequently resected via endoscopic mucosal resection. Final pathology confirmed the presence of estrogen receptor and PAX8 positive endometrial-type glands and stroma within the lesion. The authors note that colonic endometriosis is rare and often mimics other gastrointestinal conditions, emphasizing its importance in the differential diagnosis for women with prior endometriosis. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically rectosigmoid involvement presenting as a colonic polyp after hysterectomy.

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Abstract

Introduction: Endometriosis is characterized by ectopic endometrial tissue, most commonly effecting the pelvic peritoneum, ovaries, and rectovaginal septum. The prevalence of endometriosis in women of reproductive age ranges between 6-11% and annual incidence rates is around 0.1%-0.3%. The incidence rate of gastrointestinal (GI) bleed due to endometriosis is less than 1 per 100,000. We present a patient with persistent hematochezia and history of hysterectomy that was found to have recto-sigmoid endometriosis on colonic polyp resection. Case Description/Methods: A 49-year-old woman who presented to clinic with a 3-month history of persistent hematochezia. She denied previous colonoscopy and has a past surgical history for hysterectomy due to fibroids and endometriosis 3 years prior. She denied NSAID use or constipation and denies tobacco, alcohol and recreational drug use. She subsequently underwent diagnostic colonoscopy and was found to have a 20 mm semi-pedunculated friable recto-sigmoid colon polyp. Superficial biopsies showed inflamed granulation tissue and more significant underlying pathology was unable to be excluded. She was then referred to Interventional Gastroenterology for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). On repeat colonoscopy, EMR with en-bloc resection was performed. Final pathology showed Estrogen Receptor and PAX8 immunostaining highlighting endometrial-type glands and stroma within the polyp consistent with endometriosis. Discussion: Colonic endometriosis is a rare manifestation in which ectopic endometrial tissue involves the bowel wall, often mimicking more common GI conditions such as colorectal neoplasia or inflammatory bowel disease. Mucosal involvement is particularly uncommon and can present with nonspecific symptoms including rectal bleeding, pain, or bowel habit changes. In this case, a 49-year-old woman with a prior hysterectomy for fibroids and endometriosis presented with hematochezia. Colonoscopy revealed a complex colonicpolyp consistent with endometriosis on EMR. This case highlights the importance of intestinal endometriosis in the differential diagnosis of colorectal lesions in women with a history of endometriosis, even years after hysterectomy.
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Introduction

Endometriosis is characterized by ectopic endometrial tissue, most commonly effecting the pelvic peritoneum, ovaries, and rectovaginal septum. The prevalence of endometriosis in women of reproductive age ranges between 6-11% and annual incidence rates is around 0.1%-0.3%. The incidence rate of gastrointestinal (GI) bleed due to endometriosis is less than 1 per 100,000. We present a patient with persistent hematochezia and history of hysterectomy that was found to have recto-sigmoid endometriosis on colonic polyp resection. Case Description/Methods: A 49-year-old woman who presented to clinic with a 3-month history of persistent hematochezia. She denied previous colonoscopy and has a past surgical history for hysterectomy due to fibroids and endometriosis 3 years prior. She denied NSAID use or constipation and denies tobacco, alcohol and recreational drug use. She subsequently underwent diagnostic colonoscopy and was found to have a 20 mm semi-pedunculated friable recto-sigmoid colon polyp. Superficial biopsies showed inflamed granulation tissue and more significant underlying pathology was unable to be excluded. She was then referred to Interventional Gastroenterology for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). On repeat colonoscopy, EMR with en-bloc resection was performed. Final pathology showed Estrogen Receptor and PAX8 immunostaining highlighting endometrial-type glands and stroma within the polyp consistent with endometriosis.

Discussion

Colonic endometriosis is a rare manifestation in which ectopic endometrial tissue involves the bowel wall, often mimicking more common GI conditions such as colorectal neoplasia or inflammatory bowel disease. Mucosal involvement is particularly uncommon and can present with nonspecific symptoms including rectal bleeding, pain, or bowel habit changes. In this case, a 49-year-old woman with a prior hysterectomy for fibroids and endometriosis presented with hematochezia. Colonoscopy revealed a complex colonicpolyp consistent with endometriosis on EMR. This case highlights the importance of intestinal endometriosis in the differential diagnosis of colorectal lesions in women with a history of endometriosis, even years after hysterectomy.

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