By Nasuhi Engin AydinEndometriosis and Ovarian Cancer: A Genetic Connection
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians Zhang and Yan from Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China, have recently published a pivotal study in Scientific Reports examining the cancer risk associated with endometriosis. Endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting approximately 6–10% of women worldwide, significantly diminishes quality of life…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Özge ÖzkayaAppendiceal Endometriosis Associated With Ovarian and Bladder Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
There is a significant association between appendiceal, ovarian, and bladder endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. This could be explained by the spread of the disease via the shedding of…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Selma OransayPost Surgery Endometrioma Recurrence
By Selma Oransay
Endometrioma is a common form of endometriosis. Endometrioma cystectomy is the preferred treatment, as it is more effective than ablation or laser vaporization in reducing pain and recurrence. While medical treatment can help prevent recurrence after surgery, postoperative hormonal therapy…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian Endometrioma Does Not Affect Egg Quality, Study Suggests
By Özge Özkaya
Ovarian endometrioma could decrease oocyte yield in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), according to a new literature review and meta-analysis published in the scientific journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online. However, it does not seem to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Impact of Endometriosis Subtypes on Increased Ovarian Cancer Risk
By Özge Özkaya
The risk of ovarian cancer is markedly increased in patients with ovarian endometriomas and/or deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), according to a new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. These patients should be offered counseling about the risk of ovarian cancer and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Low-grade albeit longstanding inflammation may have a pivotal role in the ovary
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Academicians from Japan led by Associate Professor Makoto Orisaka published their update related to the role of inflammation in polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, and aging in the medical journal Frontiers in Endocrionology. Inflammation is the response of tissues to noxious stimuli…
Key Points Lay Summary
The need for fertility preservation in women with endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
A variety of pathologies such as adhesions, inflammation, modified pelvic anatomy, and altered ovarian reserve are among the causes of infertility in women with endometriosis. Additionally, these patients experience suboptimal outcomes characterized by reduced pregnancy rates when they undergo assisted…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian endometriomas revisited
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Farr R. Nezhat and his world-renowned team have published their narrative review on ovarian endometrioma in a recent issue of the Obstetrics and Gynecology. Endometriotic cysts (endometriomas) of the ovaries range from small (1–3 cm) to large (20 cm or…
Key Points Lay Summary
What Happens to all Those Frozen Eggs?
By Özge Özkaya
The rate of return to use previously vitrified oocytes is notably low even though there is an increase in the number of patients pursuing oocyte cryopreservation, found a new study published in JAMA Network Open. According to the authors of…
Key Points Lay Summary
"Ovarian Reserve Markers" in Peritoneal Endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis-related subfertility is attributed to multiple factors, including mechanical obstructions, adhesions, pelvic inflammation, and diminished ovarian reserve. Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels and ovarian antral follicle counts (AFC) currently serve as fertility markers to diagnose decreased ovarian reserve and failure.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Deep infiltrating endometriosis and postoperative pregnancy outcomes
By Selma Oransay
Although the current ESHRE guidelines state that there is no strong evidence to support surgical intervention to improve the spontaneous pregnancy rate in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis and advise Assisted reproduction technology irrespective of the severity of endometriosis, several studies…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Eylül GÜNThe overlap of endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome
By Eylül GÜN
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of female subfertility similar to endometriosis. It has been hypothesized that owing to the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, women with endometriosis are at a greater risk of having PCOS than…
Key Points Lay Summary
Live Birth Rate for ovarian stimulation protocols after laparoscopic endometrioma cystectomy.
By Selma Oransay
The laparoscopic cystectomy of the ovaries is the first-line infertility treatment in patients with endometriomas. However, a possible diminished ovarian capacity after cystectomy with ovarian failure to respond to the gonadotropin stimuli seems an undesirable result of this procedure. Controlled…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrioma surgery and the ovarian reserve
By Selma Oransay
Traditionally, cystectomy is the gold standard for surgical approach owing to the reduced risk of recurrence. Still, it may lead to a reduction in postoperative ovarian volume and can be a cause of ovarian failure. The recent conservative surgical management of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Elevated iron levels in "endometriosis pathogenesis"
By Selma Oransay
The presence of abnormal levels of iron and ferritin in endometriotic lesions is likely due to repeated bleeding episodes. When red blood cells break down, the iron content is released, which can cause inflammation leading to damage to surrounding tissues.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian cancers arising in endometriosis: still an unresolved issue
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Alice Bergamini and associates from San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy have published their results on clinicopathologic features of endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers in a recent issue of the journal “Diagnostics”. The association between endometriosis and ovarian cancer was first noticed…
Key Points Lay Summary
New Model Can Help Understand How Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer Develops
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers from Japan and the US developed a new mouse model in collaboration, that can be useful to better understand how endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer develops. This new model can help to assess new treatment options for both diseases. The team…
Key Points Lay Summary
Diaphragmatic Endometriosis: a Call for Awareness
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Pagano and colleagues from the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Bern, Switzerland, have published a prospective cohort study on diaphragmatic involvement in endometriosis patients in a recent issue of “The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology”. Endometriosis is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Iron and toxic environmental elements in ovarian endometriomas
By Selma Oransay
It is well-known that the growth of endometriotic lesions is estrogen-dependent and supported by inflammatory processes. In addition to oxidative stress, it is believed that several other factors, including chemicals and environmental factors, and genetic predisposition may play a potential…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Hale Goksever CelikSexual function in infertile women with PCOS and endometriosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis suffer from several symptoms and signs including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility which have a detrimental effect on their quality of life. Sexual dysfunction also is a common problem for endometriosis patients due to complex…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis, Age, and Ovarian Reserve
By Özge Özkaya
The effect of endometriosis on ovarian reserve can be enhanced with older age, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. This finding is important because it can help clinicians guide their patients in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does endometrioma size have an effect on IVF/ICSI outcomes?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Assisted reproductive technologies including IVF/ICSI can be suggested as the therapeutic option in women with endometriosis-associated infertility. In literature, there is a controversy regarding the influence of endometrioma size on IVF/ICSI outcomes. The group led by Drs Chapron and Santoulli…
Key Points Lay Summary
Postoperative serum markers to predict serum AMH recovery following endometriosis surgery
By Hale Goksever Celik
Women with endometriosis seek treatment including ovarian cystectomy, because of symptoms that reduce their quality of life. Ovarian cystectomy using laparoscopic or robotic devices is the preferred therapy. However, it has been shown in the literature that ovarian reserve is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriotic cyst fluid and the postoperative recurrence of endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Xinxin Xu and colleagues from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China, published their research on the viability of endometrial cells in ovarian cyst fluids in a recent issue of “Journal of Ovarian Research”.…
Key Points Lay Summary
Transvaginal Ultrasound Could Be Sufficient to Properly Diagnose Deep Endometriosis and Ovarians Endometriomas
By Özge Özkaya
Following the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis consensus can improve the accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound to diagnose ovarian endometriomas and deep infiltrating endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journalUltrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology. “ (…) at this…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Oocyte Quality in Ovarian Endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Endometrioma is the ovarian involvement of endometriosis affecting up to 44% of women diagnosed with the disease. Owing to the anatomical locus, ovarian endometriosis may impair folliculogenesis and oocyte competence, differing from other forms of endometriosis. When investigating the relationship between…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian Endometrioma Reduces the Chance of a Successful Pregnancy With IVF
By Özge Özkaya
Ovarian endometrioma significantly decreases ovarian reserve or the capacity of the ovaries to produce eggs that are able to be fertilized and give rise to a successful pregnancy. This is according to a study published in the scientific journal Medicine.…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Bahar YukselEndometrioma and its relation with fibrosis, dysmenorrhea, and AMH levels.
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometrioma is an indicator of endometriosis which makes it easy to diagnose the disease for most clinicians. But the symptoms and relationship of endometrioma with menstrual pain severity and the ovarian reserve as well as its markers are not well…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is it possible to predict recurrence after ovarian endometriosis surgery?
By Eylül GÜN
The current treatment methods for endometriosis both have their flaws: the medical treatment is sometimes ineffective and the surgical treatment comes with a high rate of recurrence. Even though new surgical modalities have been developed, laparoscopic cyst removal continues to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does endometrioma affect ovarian reserve to reach pregnancy and birth?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometrioma occurs in approximately 17-44% of women with endometriosis. These women suffer from dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and also infertility. Although the exact mechanism explaining endometriosis-associated infertility has not been elucidated, distorted pelvic anatomy, impaired ovarian function, altered microenvironment-endometrial receptivity,…
Key Points Lay Summary
The incidence of ovarian cancer after histologically diagnosed endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among gynecologic cancers. Furthermore, these patients are generally diagnosed in advanced stage due to their non-symptomatic nature. Therefore, preventative strategies have enormous importance for the management of ovarian cancer. Dr. Hermens and colleagues…
Key Points Lay Summary
Are the studies based on the nationwide databases more accurate?
By Eylül GÜN
One of the most common localizations of endometriosis is the ovaries, and therefore, ovarian endometriomas are among the most surgically treated endometriotic lesions. Dr. Roman from Denmark has recently written an editorial about the surgical interventions on ovarian endometrioma and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Envorinmental metals harmful for female reproductivity
By Selma Oransay
Heavy metals exposure in a wide range of ways is one of the main causes of increased infertility. According to the 2003 National Health Survey, nearly every pregnant woman in the USA is exposed to at least 43 hazardous chemicals…
Key Points Lay Summary
Pain alone is not a specific predictor for endometriosis diagnosis
By Hale Goksever Celik
The most common symptoms and signs of women with endometriosis include dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. However, diagnostic delay still occurs due to the broad clinical spectrum of the disease and the absence of non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers. Gordon et…
Key Points Lay Summary
What do endometriosis and ovarian cancer have in common?
By Bahar Yuksel
While endometriosis is not a malignant disease, it is for sure known that it shares genetic disorders with cancers. In the bioinformatics study applied by Leyi Ni et al, the researchers analyzed the genetic pathways shared by both ovarian cancers…
Key Points Lay Summary
Which one is more effective for the preservartion of postoperative ovarian reserve?
By Selma Oransay
Although cystectomy is the most preferred treatment of endometrioma, it is still a matter of debate as it may cause a reduction in the quality and number of remaining follicles, especially important for women who are planning to conceive. Anti-Müllerian…
Key Points Lay Summary
Complex Relation Between Body mass index and endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
This research aimed to find the relationship between BMI and endometriosis especially related to surgical phenotype and lesion location. An observational cohort study was led by Holdsworth-Carson et al, from Australia. The article was recently published in "RBMO" . Many earlier studies report…
Key Points Lay Summary
The comparison of the effect of hemostatic techniques on ovarian reserve during endometrioma cystectomy
By Hale Goksever Celik
The possible negative effect of the surgical excision of endometriomas on the ovarian reserve has brought up the meticulous implementation of the decision for surgical approach. Dr. Raquel Silveria da Cunha Araujo et al, from Brazil, published a study titled as…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian cancer
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis is a locally aggressive and chronic inflammatory disease and it is now known that with various genetic pathways it creates susceptibility to certain cancers, the most common being ovarian cancer. Pelvic inflammatory disease on the other hand creates a…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does Delivery Mode Affect the Ovarian Reserve?
By Selma Oransay
Mohr-Sasson et al. from Sheba Medical Center, Israel, performed a prospective case-control study to assess whether ovarian reserve decreases after cesarian delivery. The study included only women with singleton pregnancies and the change in ovarian reserve after vaginal or cesarian…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian cancer risk in endometriosis and adenomyosis
By Eylül GÜN
Through the historical development of the nomenclature for endometriotic tissue found inside and/or outside the uterus, many terminologies have been used. The accepted terminology is still the one introduced by Sampson: “Endometriosis”. “Adenomyosis” also known as “endometriosis interna” which is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Uterine cancer risk in "endometriosis" and "adenomyosis"
By Selma Oransay
Adenomyosis and endometriosis share similar characteristics, and endometriosis is reported to have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. However, the risk of uterine cancer is not clear yet. Hermens and colleagues from Catharina Hospital, from the Netherlands, designed a population-based…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian Cancer Survival in the presence of Endometriosis
By Özge Özkaya
Women with ovarian cancer and histologically proven endometriosis have longer overall survival compared to those with ovarian cancer but no endometriosis, found a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. “[…] Women diagnosed as having ovarian cancer…
Key Points Lay Summary
The added value of transvaginal hydro-laparoscopy for infertile women
By Selma Oransay
The added value of invasive diagnostic laparoscopy has been questioned, postponed by the increased usage of ultrasonography for the evaluation of infertile patients. Gordts et al. from Life Expert Center, Leuven, Belgium have been working on an alternative way called "transvaginal hydro-laparoscopy" to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrioma post-surgical-recurrence risk factors
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Jiang and associates from Dailan Medical University, China published their review manuscript “Risk factors for ovarian endometrioma recurrence following surgical excision: a systematic review and meta‑analysis” in the June 2021 issue of "Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics". The most common form of endometriosis, "ovarian…
Key Points Lay Summary
Preoperative endometrioma diagnosis
By Selma Oransay
The current clinical experience of gynecologists and radiologists indicates that distinguishing a hemorrhagic cyst from endometriomas or ruptured corpus luteal cysts is compelling. For this reason, chosen criteria that can lead to decisive distinctions are valuable for preoperative identification of endometriomas.…
Key Points Lay Summary
The genomic linkage between ovarian cancer and endometriosis
By Eylül GÜN
Endometriosis has been proven to be the precursor of ovarian clear cell and endometrioid carcinomas, however, it is not well understood why and how endometriosis goes into malignant transformation. To address this issue, in their review article, Dr. Yachida and…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Communication Gap Between Specialists for Endometriosis Diagnosis and Management
By Eylül GÜN
An approach to help the different specialties which work as a team but lack sufficient communication in endometriosis management build better communication was proposed by Leonardi et al. from Australia and Canada in their opinion article which was published in…
Key Points Lay Summary
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells are gaining importance in endometriosis
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Dr. Wertel and associates from Polish academic centers published their sentimental review paper on the role of "Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells" in human diseases, in a recent issue of Cells. Endometriosis, the most common gynecological disease affecting about 10% of women globally,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Which is the best for ovarian reserve preservation? Hemostatic agent or coagulation?
By Bahar Yuksel
The way of ovarian parenchymal bed hemostasis following ovarian cystectomy is crucial for ovarian reserve protection, and discussions about different techniques on this issue are ongoing. Multiport laparoscopic surgery is the standard method for ovarian surgeries, but laparoendoscopic single-site cystectomy became…
Key Points Lay Summary
What Happens to Endometriosis Patients After Endometriosis Surgery?
By Özge Özkaya
Although few patients with endometriosis who undergo a hysterectomy need repeat surgery, up to 25% of them need minor surgery. Around 20% of patients who undergo conservative surgery with ovarian preservation require additional endometriosis surgery. Up to one in three…
Key Points Lay Summary
Optimal management of infertility in endometriosis patients
By Hale Goksever Celik
Pelvic pain and infertility are the main symptoms of endometriosis patients. Although the pathophysiological mechanism for infertility is not clearly understood, there are several theories explaining decreased fertility potential in women with endometriosis. Ata and Telek, from Koc and Istanbul Universities…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis, ART, fertility preservation
By Selma Oransay
This review entitled "The impact of endometriosis on the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques: role of fertility preservation" was written by Necula et al. from Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Biel, Switzerland, and recently published in the journal "Hormone, Molecular Biology and Clinical…
Key Points Lay Summary
Tubo-ovarian abscess and endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
A tubo-ovarian abscess is the result of pelvic inflammatory disease in women and the previous reports demonstrated that almost one of the third women with a pelvic inflammatory disease had a tubo-ovarian abscess. The main treatment modalities for tubo-ovarian abscess…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Yu YuCancer, is that a real risk?
By Yu Yu
Endometriosis is non-malignant but shares some similar features with cancer, such as the occurrence of local and distant foci, the ability to resist cell death, and the ability to invade other tissues, causing damage to the organs. Endometriosis also generates…
Key Points Lay Summary
Controlled use of bipolar cauterization as an alternative to endometrioma cystectomy
By Hale Goksever Celik
The main symptoms of endometriosis are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Ablation or coagulation of the cyst wall following laparoscopic drainage of endometrioma may be an alternative treatment for patients with pregnancy intention. Carbon dioxide, laser, and plasma energy…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Dr. Youngran ParkThe influence of endometrioma and surgery on ovarian reserve
By Dr. Youngran Park
Women with endometriosis and endometrioma, often have subfertility. These patients present considerable problems for the evaluation of ovarian reserve. One of the well-known ovarian reserve biomarkers is anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. So far, it was known that the reduction of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Impaired fertility potential in endometriosis patients
By Hale Goksever Celik
Infertility is frequently encountered in endometriosis patients because of anatomic distortion, alterations in endometrial receptivity, diminished tubal peristalsis and sperm movements. Garcia-Fernandez and García-Velasco, from Edinburgh, UK and Madrid, Spain, published a mini-review titled “Endometriosis and Reproduction: What We Have…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian, breast and endometrial cancer coexisting with endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
The invasive nature of endometriosis results in calling the disease " benign cancer". The transformation of endometriosis to malignancy is rare, but when compared to the general population, the relative risk of developing ovarian cancer is 4.2 times greater especially…
Key Points Lay Summary
KEYNOTE: Excision Without Mutilation: It’s Possible! - Arnaud Wattiez, MD
By Özge Özkaya
In his keynote lecture, Dr. Wattiez talks about the pros and cons of endometriosis surgery and the importance of tailoring endometriosis surgery to individual patients. “Endometriosis is a disease that degrades patient’s wellbeing," Dr. Wattiez says and gives some examples…
Key Points Lay Summary
Operative techniques for Deep Endometriosis Surgery - Shaheen Khazali, MD
By Özge Özkaya
In this presentation, Dr. Shaheen Khazali, an endometriosis surgeon specialized in gastrointestinal and urinary tract endometriosis excision and in neuropelveology, talks about the general principles and some techniques for endometriosis surgery focusing on rectovaginal endometriosis. He also describes the "ten…
Key Points Lay Summary
Role of Prophylactic Oophorectomy in Endometriosis Patients with Ovarian Cancer History in the family - Farr Nezhat, MD
By Özge Özkaya
Dr. Nezhat starts his presentation by outlining his objectives, which are to review the basics of cancer genetics, give an overview about endometriosis and ovarian cancer, discuss the pathogenesis of malignant transformation of endometriosis, and talk about the clinical implications…
Key Points Lay Summary
Further Evidence that endometriosis is related to tubal or ovarian cancer - Togas Tulandi, MD
By Selma Oransay
Most authors suggest an association of endometriosis mainly with clear cell, low-grade serous, and endometrioid ovarian cancer. But in two large cohort studies, no correlation between them is reported (Olson et al. 2002 and Tseng et al. 2019) Dr. Tulandi…
Key Points Lay Summary
Limits of endometrioma surgery in infertility patients - Liselotte Mettler, MD, PhD
By Selma Oransay
The removal of endometrioma may affect ovarian reserve because healthy follicles near endometrioma could also be excised during this procedure. Another concern about the ovarian reserve is that it may be already low before the surgery. Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH)…
Key Points Lay Summary
In vitro fertilization protocols in endometriosis patients - Pinar Kodaman, MD., PhD.
By Hale Goksever Celik
Infertility is frequently encountered in endometriosis patients because of anatomic distortion, alterations in endometrial receptivity, diminished tubal peristalsis, and sperm movements. Even though the disease stage and presence of endometrioma is negatively correlated with infertility, it is unpredictable which women…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometrioma size and anti-Müllerian hormone levels
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriotic lesions are encountered in different locations in the pelvic cavity, including but not limited to the ovaries, the pouch of Douglas, the ureters, the bladder, and the bowel. Cystic endometriosis lesions located in the ovary are called "endometrioma". Endometriomas have…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fallopian tube endometriosis
By Bahar Yuksel
Endometriosis affects various tissues including pelvic and extra-pelvic organs. Fallopian tube endometriosis is not a widely studied topic in endometriosis, hence the real incidence is unknown as not all studies evaluate microscopically diagnosed Fallopian tube endometriosis. In the retrospective database…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fallopian tubes and endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
There are multiple theories to explain the pathogenesis of endometriosis, among which the most popular one is Sampson's retrograde menstruation theory. The role of endometrial stem cells/progenitors are widely studied to support the origin of ectopic lesions in recent decades.…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Nadire DuruClinical characteristics linked to recurrence of ovarian endometrioma
By Nadire Duru
Endometriosis affects 10-15% of women. Three types of endometriosis are peritoneal, ovarian, and deep infiltrating endometriosis. Ovarian endometriosis is the most common type of endometriosis with a high rate of recurrence. Laparoscopy is the gold standard treatment for endometriosis and…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Irem OnurIs oocyte cryopreservation useful for fertility preservation in ovarian endometriosis?
By Irem Onur
Women with endometriosis tend to have lower fecundity compared to normal couples. Furthermore, endometrioma itself may reduce the ovarian reserve by altering ovarian physiology in the surrounding healthy ovarian tissue. The treatment for endometrioma is surgical removal in most cases, however,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Immune System, Cytokines and Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic disease. Diagnosing endometriosis is difficult because the signs and symptoms vary considerably. Therefore, the discovery of a reliable non-invasive diagnostic biomarker would represent a major advance for the clinical diagnosis of endometriosis. It has been…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Timur SeckinThe link between ovarian cancer and endosalpingiosis
By Timur Seckin
The presence of benign glands lined by tubal-type epithelium in the peritoneum and subperitoneal tissues is called "endosalpingiosis". A recent study that investigates the possible association between endosalpingiosis and ovarian cancer was conducted by Hermens et al., from the Netherlands, and has…
Key Points Lay Summary
Fertility conservation in women with endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Endometriosis affects 10-15% of women in their reproductive period and almost half of them may need Assisted Reproductive techniques to conceive. Moreover, increased malignancy risk is threatening the women with severe endometriosis in addition to their decreased ovarian reserve. Due…
Key Points Lay Summary
Long-term Pregnancy Results after Surgical Removal of Endometrioma
By Irem Onur
Sun et al., from China, investigated the pregnancy outcomes and the related factors in patients with endometrioma and stage III-IV endometriosis along with a long-term follow-up postoperatively. Their study has recently been published in the journal named "Advances in Therapy".…
Key Points Lay Summary
Adiposity, endometriosis type and severity
By Selma Oransay
Dr. Jiyoung from the division of Public Health, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine of the University of Utah, planned a prospective cross-sectional study to assess whether there is an inverse relationship between the adiposity and endometriosis. The results of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and Women’s Tendency Towards Blood Clotting
By Özge Özkaya
Women with ovarian endometriomas have an abnormally increased tendency toward blood clotting, study shows. Researchers think that this is due to the inflammatory nature of endometriosis. So abnormal coagulation parameters could be used to diagnose endometriosis, however, more detailed studies…
Key Points Lay Summary
Rare lesions in the pathologic examinations of endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Dr. Glenn McCluggage from the Department of Pathology, Belfast Health, and Social Care Trust, penned a review about selected uncommon variants of endometriosis or benign alterations that may cause difficulties of pathologic diagnosis and provided all related histopathological illustrations in…
Key Points Lay Summary
A review of endometriosis in adolescent girls and young women
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease which is commonly diagnosed in reproductive-aged women. On the other hand, this disease can develop earlier in life due to different etiopathogenetic mechanisms. Especially adolescents who experienced neonatal uterine bleeding are under the risk for…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and ovarian reserve
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is most frequently encountered in reproductive-aged women. Its prevalence is 10-15% in the general population of this age. However, endometriosis is diagnosed more frequently in infertile women with a prevalence of 25-40%. Although the exact mechanism explaining the association between…
Key Points Lay Summary
Factors affecting risk of ovarian endometriosis malignancy
By Özge Özkaya
Getting married when older, having had ovarian endometriosis for longer, giving birth in a shorter time, and other complications in the uterus that are benign may all increase the risk of ovarian endometriosis malignancy. This is according to a study…
Key Points Lay Summary
Serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels for predicting spontaneous pregnancy after endometriosis surgery
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a disease defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. Although there are several medical and surgical therapeutic options, the most effective treatment modality has not yet been elucidated. The main…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis as an epigenetically regulated disease
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is defined as the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. It affects about 10% of reproductive age women resulting in severe pain and infertility. Among various theories of endometriosis pathogenesis, not a single one has successfully…
Key Points Lay Summary
Consquences of endometriosis in menopausal period.
By Selma Oransay
Marie-Scemama et al. from Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France, referred to endometriosis and menopause which is an actual cruising topic and recently published it in the journal named "Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation". Endometriosis a well-known estrogen-dependent disease has three…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new technique for laparoscopic management of ovarian endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
To cause a minimal hazardous effect on ovarian reserve during laparoscopic surgery of endometriomas is always a great concern for clinicians. Shaltout et al. from Cairo University, Egypt, examined the effect of "Surgicel" on preventing the recurrence of endometriomas and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does ovarian endometriosis affect oocyte quality?
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis is a very common gynecological disorder affecting women in their reproductive years. It is reported that patients with endometriosis have reduced implantation and pregnancy rates compared to healthy women. According to the various previous studies, the quality of the…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Demet Candaş GreenImpact of hemostatic techniques used in endometrioma surgery on ovarian function
By Demet Candaş Green
This publication reports on an ongoing clinical trial that aims to assess whether the hemostatic techniques (methods to stop bleeding) used in ovarian endometrioma surgery have damaging effects on ovarian function. The clinical trial stemmed from a multitude of inconclusive…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does Endometriosis Reduce Ovarian Reserve?
By Özge Özkaya
Markers of ovarian reserve are worse in infertile women with endometriosis compared to women who cannot conceive due to male factor infertility regardless of whether or not they have had ovarian surgery. This finding is important because it suggests that…
Key Points Lay Summary
A new trial to reduce the failure of IVF/ICS protocols in severe endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Kong et al., from the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University, China, recently published this single-blinded, a multicentered and randomized controlled study in the Journal of Reproductive Health, with the aim to find a safer and more effective ovulation induction regimen for patients with…
Key Points Lay Summary
Epithelial Mutations in Endometriosis
By Dr. Youngran Park
A substantial body of epidemiologic evidence suggests a link between endometriosis and epithelial ovarian cancer, but a plausible underlying mechanism has remained elusive. Here, Dr. Bulun group from Northwestern University provide a focused review of the literature and discuss the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Antimullerian Hormone, endometrioma and ovarian reserve
By Selma Oransay
Younis et al. from Baruch-Padeh Medical Center, Poriya, Israel, designed a review study on ovarian reserve alterations before and after endometrioma surgery that recently documented in "Human Reproduction Update". The authors examined the electronic databases of articles published between January…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian stimulation regimes: Concerns on progression or recurrence of endometriosis
By Selma Oransay
Somigliana et al., from the University of Milan, Italy, performed a literature review to predict the endometriosis-enhancing effect of ART regimes on infertile women and reported their results in Reproductive Biomedicine Online. Their points of interest were increasing dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, non-menstrual pain and…
Key Points Lay Summary
Estrogen Receptor Signaling and Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer
By Selma Oransay
Andersen et al. published a prospective cohort study in the Journal of Hormones and Cancer to enlighten the estrogen signaling pathway during the transition from endometriosis to endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer. Given the shared pathway of endometriosis and ovarian cancer as…
Key Points Lay Summary
A link between endometrioid ovarian carcinoma and endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Ciavattini et al.from Polytechnic University Ancona, Italy create a pilot study which recently published in Oncology Letters to clarify the link between endometriosis and endometrioid ovarian cancer. The unfolded protein response (UPR) activity as a promoter of neoplastic progression of malignancies is…
Key Points Lay Summary
Which comes first in endometriosis management: In vitro fertilization or surgery?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity. The prevalence is found to be 7%–10%, but among infertile women, it increases up to 50%. Early diagnosis and personalized management are important to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Building an ultrasonographic database for superficial endometriosis.
By Selma Oransay
Chowdary et al. from University of Auckland, Australia, recently published a retrospective, small group study in Australian New Zeland Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, to demonstrate ultrasonographic findings of mild endometriosis patients with pelvic pain are associated with their laparoscopic diagnosis.…
Key Points Lay Summary
The association between the development of endometriosis and dietary habits
By Hale Goksever Celik
Endometriosis is a chronic disease defined as the localization of endometrial glandular and stromal tissue outside the uterine cavity. The prevalence is found to be approximately 10% in the general population. Endometriosis is associated with infertility, pelvic pain, and increased…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Serdar BalciClonal Proliferation and Cancer Associated Mutations in normal uterine endometrium and endometriosis
By Serdar Balci
Suda et. al., from Niigata University, Japan, has published the article entitled "Clonal Expansion and Diversification of Cancer-Associated Mutations in Endometriosis and Normal Endometrium" in Cell Reports. There are many theories for endometriosis development (retrograde menstruation, coelomic metaplasia, Müllerian remnants),…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does the presence of endometriosis increase the risk of gynecologic malignancies?
By Serdar Balci
Endometriosis shares common risk factors with endometrial carcinoma and ovarian carcinomas such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hyperestrogenism, and reproductive characteristics. Endometriosis is also known to be a risk factor for gynecologic malignant tumors. In this study, Li et.al. have…
Key Points Lay Summary
Further Results From the FEELING Study Published
By Özge Özkaya
Some women are more likely to develop deep infiltrating endometriosis according to the further analysis of the results of the FEELING study. These are women who: are married, are older, have siblings, have had a prior pregnancy, or for whom…
Key Points Lay Summary
Targeted therapy biomarkers in endometriosis associated ovarian carcinomas
By Serdar Balci
Endometriosis in ovaries is a known precursor of endometrioid and clear cell carcinomas. They may be resistant to classical therapies. Researchers search for alternative and targeted therapy options. This study, from the University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, will be…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does ovarian endometrioma damage the ovarian reserve?
By Dr. Youngran Park
Ovarian endometriomas are commonly present in 17% to 44% of women with endometriosis and are often associated with infertility and pelvic pain. There are several treatment options including surgical treatment. Cyst excision is associated with better results in terms of…
Key Points Lay Summary
How to preserve fertility in women with “ovarian endometriosis”?
By Hale Goksever Celik
Although there are many treatment modalities in endometriosis, optimal treatment has not been developed yet. The aim of the treatment is to reduce pain, to preserve and improve fertility and to delay recurrence. Ovarian ischemic and perfusion damage during endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Kasthuri NairPolymorphism of IL12B May Help Solve Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Zhao et al. recently published a paper titled “A functional promoter polymorphism in interleukin 12B gene is associated with an increased risk of ovarian endometriosis” in Gene. The research group from Hebei Medical University wanted to explore the potential roles…
Key Points Lay Summary
Epigenetic link between endometriosis and cancer
By Nasuhi Engin Aydin
Although endometriosis is considered a benign condition the cellular, histologic, and molecular data strongly demonstrate that endometriosis has neoplastic characteristics. There is strong evidence that endometriosis shares striking features with malignancy like normal tissue dissemination, invasion, and organ damage, as well as new vessel formation (neoangiogenesis). In…
Key Points Lay Summary
Key to Understanding Ovarian Endometriosis may lay in the Peptides
By Kasthuri Nair
Xue et al. recently published a paper titled “Peptidomic Analysis of Endometrial Tissue from Patients with Ovarian Endometriosis” in Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry. The research group from various departments of Nanjing Medical University wished to better understand the pathogenesis of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Managing of endometriosis and associated ovarian cancer risk
By Yu Yu
According to a number of studies, endometriosis is associated with moderate increase in ovarian cancer risk. This risk is elevated in subjects with a long-standing history of untreated ovarian endometriosis. Endometriosis is particularly associated with risk for certain histological subtypes…
Key Points Lay Summary
Extending the Female Fertility Clock
By Kasthuri Nair
Varela, Sanchez-de-Puerta, and Garcia-Velasco are a group of scientists from various institutions in Spain and they recently published a review article titled “Fertility, IVF and reproductive genetics” in Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. In this publication, the authors discussed…
Key Points Lay Summary
Increasing IVF Success Rates
By Özge Özkaya
DuoStim or double ovarian stimulation is the most promising approach to increase the number of eggs collected to be used in IVF, according to a review article published in the journal Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Pain and infertility…
Key Points Lay Summary
HOXA10: A Culprit in Endometriosis Disease Progression
By Kasthuri Nair
Zheng et al., a group of authors from the Aerospace Center Hospital in Bejing and from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in Wenzhou, recently published a paper in Reproductive Sciences entitled “Decreased Expression of HOXA10 May Activate the…
Key Points Lay Summary
Stem cell therapy for the premature ovarian failure
By Dr. Youngran Park
Premature ovarian failure (POF) is one of the common disorders found in women. The cause of POF is not fully known, but various factors have been suggested. In genetically, X and autosomes chromosome abnormalities could result in some POF. The…
Key Points Lay Summary
No Link Found Between Vitamin D and Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Buggio et al., a group of scientists from the Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Universita` degli Studi in Milan, recently published a paper in the Reproductive Sciences titled “25-Hydroxyvitamin D Serum Levels and Endometriosis: Results of a Case-Control Study.” The publication sought…
Key Points Lay Summary
Does Endometriosis Cause Infertility?
By Özge Özkaya
Infertility may be related to the localization of endometriosis involvement according to a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. This finding is in agreement with the results of previous studies and could help clinicians in their decision…
Key Points Lay Summary
Benign Gynecological Tumors in Women with Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Matalliotaki et al. recently published a paper titled “Coexistence of benign gynecological tumors with endometriosis in a group of 1,000 women” in Oncology Letters. The study had two main objectives. The first goal was to understand the link between endometriosis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Long-term Use of Dienogest can Prevent Recurrence of Endometriomas
By Kasthuri Nair
Chandra et al. recently published a paper titled “Clinical experience of the long-term use of dienogest after surgery for ovarian endometriomas” in Obstetrics and Gynecology Science. The publication explored the benefits and repercussions associated with long-term use of dienogest, a…
Key Points Lay Summary
By Murat OsmanAre there any risk factor associated with the progression of endometriosis to ovarian cancer?
By Murat Osman
Endometriosis is a disease whereby endometrial glands proliferate outside of the endometrial lining. Apart from causing significant morbidity, It has been found that endometriosis is associated with an increased risk of progression to endometroid and clear cell ovarian cancer. However,…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is the presence of endometriosis associated with a survival benefit in pure ovarian clear cell carcinoma?
By Dr. Youngran Park
Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) has been known to be associated with endometriosis for a long time. However, the impact of the presence of endometriosis around the tumor on the prognoses of women with OCCC is still controversial. To shed…
Key Points Lay Summary
When Endometriosis Becomes Malignant
By Kasthuri Nair
Anglesio and Yong recently wrote a review titled “Endometriosis-associated Ovarian Cancers” that was published in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. This review explored the relationship between endometriosis and ovarian cancers. It is important to note that this review is a compilation of…
Key Points Lay Summary
Women with Endometriosis Should Not Worry About Ovarian Cancer
By Kasthuri Nair
Kvaskoff, Horne and Missmer recently published an article in The Lancet titled “Informing women with endometriosis about ovarian cancer risk.” This article was written to address the growing concern surrounding the information that women suffering from endometriosis are at increased…
Key Points Lay Summary
EFA Medical Conference 2017: "Ovarian Cancer" Presentation by Dr. Jeannine Villella
By Kasthuri Nair
Dr. Jeannine Villella, the Chair of Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of OBGYN at Lenox Hill, presented at the 2017 EFA Medical Conference. Her presentation was titled “Ovarian Cancer, ” and she discussed the similarities, differences, and links between ovarian…
Key Points Lay Summary
Diseases that Coexist with Adenomyosis and Endometriosis
By Kasthuri Nair
Adenomyosis, defined by endometrial glands and stroma found within the muscular uterine wall, and endometriosis are two common gynecological diseases that are similar pathologically and symptomatically. Choi et al. recently conducted a study where they hoped to determine the prevalence…
Key Points Lay Summary
The Deregulated Molecular Functions Involved in Malignant Transformation of Endometriosis to Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Carcinoma
By Dr. Youngran Park
Endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) is postulated to be transformed from endometriosis. Though different deregulated functional areas were proposed accounting for the pathogenesis of EAOC transformation, there is a lack of data-driven analysis to prove this. To understand the EAOC pathogenesis…
Key Points Lay Summary
Can Ovarian Stimulation Increase Endometrioma Volume?
By Kasthuri Nair
Seyhan et al. recently published a paper titled “Do endometriomas grow during ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction? A three-dimensional volume analysis before and after ovarian stimulation” in Reproductive BioMedicine Online. The authors initially believe that ovarian stimulation, often used in…
Key Points Lay Summary
EFA Medical Conference 2017: Welcome Presentation by Dr. Tamer Seckin
By Kasthuri Nair
The first part of the Endometriosis Foundation of America’s 2017 Medical Conference delved into the mission and history of the Endometriosis Foundation of America. The first presenter was Dr. Tamer Seckin, a renowned surgeon, and gynecologist who is also the…
Key Points Lay Summary
An update of estrogen receptors on human disease
By Yu Yu
Estrogens and its receptors influence numerous human physiological processes. Two estrogen receptors exist, including estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ. Hence, it is essential to elucidate the functions of these receptors in healthy and diseased states. This is particularly important…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is there any association between menstrual pain and ovarian cancer?
By Yu Yu
Inflammation may be important in ovarian carcinogenesis. Epidemiological studies show that inflammatory conditions such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease have been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, while regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has reduced associated…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian Reserve Depletion is not Time Sensitive
By Kasthuri Nair
The European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology recently published a paper titled “Is endometrioma-associated damage to ovarian reserve progressive? Insights from IVF cycles.” This publication by Benaglia et al. examines the controversial relationship between endometriosis and ovarian…
Key Points Lay Summary
New Approach could help Preoperative Differentiation of Endometriosis and Cancer
By Özge Özkaya
Researchers in Japan identified some radiological parameters that could be used to differentiate between endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer (EAOC) and a particular type of benign ovarian endometriosis (OE), making it easier for doctors to offer the right treatment to women who…
Key Points Lay Summary
Serum AMH Levels Play an Important Role In Fertility Preservation
By Kasthuri Nair
One of the options available for women who suffer from endometriosis related infertility is cryopreservation. This option is only viable if the woman in question does not suffer from the low ovarian reserve. Garavaglia et al. suggest using pre-surgical serum…
Key Points Lay Summary
Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer Risk
By Yu Yu
Ovarian cancer prevalence in women with endometriosis is higher than the general population. It is often hypothesized that endometriosis-associated malignancies can occur from ovarian endometrioma. This systematic review by Taniguchi highlighted new insights on the relationship between endometriosis and ovarian…
Key Points Lay Summary
Ovarian Endometriomas vs Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis
By Yu Yu
Ovarian endometrioma (OMA) and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) have been described as two disease entities, although they are both characterized by endometrial tissue located outside the uterus. As OMA and DIE look different histologically, it is puzzling what cause their…
Key Points Lay Summary
Reduced vascularization in ovarian endometriomas associated with less pain
By Yu Yu
Angiogenesis, i.e., the development of new blood vessels is believed to play an important role in endometriosis pathogenesis and symptoms. Endometriosis is associated and requires neovascularization to proliferate, invade surrounding normal structure in order to establish an endometriotic lesion. Ovarian…
Key Points Lay Summary
Is it Estrogen that Regulates Endometriosis Pain?
By Yu Yu
Endometriosis-associated pain is a debilitating condition; however, it is surprising that the perceived pain has no correlation to the endometriosis extent. The mechanism that causes the pain is also poorly understood. Nerve growth factor is enhanced in endometriosis and may increase…
Key Points Lay Summary
Characteristics of Ovarian Endometriotic Cysts Could Help Determine Whether Endometrioma Will Reoccur
By Özge Özkaya
The features of ovarian endometriotic cysts could help predict whether endometrioma will re-occur in individual patients, according to a study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Predicting the risk of recurrence is important because it can help…
Lay Summary
Genetic Variations May Link Risk of Endometriosis and Ovarian Cancer
By Özge Özkaya
Variations in a gene called HNF1B could be linked to the risk of endometriosis, according to a study published in the medical journal Gynecologic Oncology. Previous studies had identified the same genetic variation as a risk factor for ovarian cancer.…
Lay Summary
By Ezio RosatoIncreased Oxidative Stress in Endometriosis may Be Linked to Higher Risk of Ovarian Cancer
By Ezio Rosato
In the study that was published in the scientific journal Translational Oncogenomics, a group of researchers led by Dr. Hariyono Winarto from the Universitas Indonesia in Jakarta identified increased oxidative stress as one of the causes that might explain the…
Lay Summary