Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Endometriosis pp 9–18Cite as

Pathological Aspect and Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

Historically, endometriosis was first described in Egyptian scrolls in the sixteenth century bc. The first scientific description of endometriosis was published by Carl Freiherr von Rokitansky in 1860. At this time, the concept of endometriosis as a disease entity was not established and it was assumed to be an enigmatic disease with an unknown pathology. Although extensive basic and clinical research has been carried from the last century until present, the pathogenesis of endometriosis is still controversial. Major theories on the pathogenesis of endometriosis are (1) metastases of endometrial tissues to an ectopic location (transplantation theory), (2) metaplastic development of endometrial tissue on the ectopic site (metaplastic theory), and (3) changes of the embryonic duct remnant epithelium into endometrial epithelium (müllerian remnants theory). A comprehensive understanding of the histopathogenesis of endometriosis is essential to the novel clinical approaches for the enigmatic disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. von Rokitansky C. Ueber Uterusdrusen-Neubilding in Uterus- und Ovarial – Sarcomen. Ztschr KK Gesellsch Der Aerzte zu Wien. 1860;37:577–81.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Cullen TS. Adeno-myoma uteri diffusum benignum. Johns Hopkins Hosp Bull. 1896;6:133–7.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Sampson JA. Perforating hemorrhagic cysts of the ovary. Their importance and especially their relation to adenomas of the endometrial type. Arch Surg. 1921;3:245–323.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Sampson JA. Inguinal endometriosis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1925;10:462–503.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Sampson JA. Peritoneal endometriosis due to menstrual dissemination of endometrial tissue into the peritoneal cavity. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1927;14:422–69.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Olive DL, Pritts EA. Treatment of endometriosis. N Engl J Med. 2001;345:266–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Suginami H. A reappraisal of the coelomic metaplasia theory by reviewing endometriosis occurring in unusual sites and instances. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1991;165:214–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Lauchlan SC. The secondary müllerian system. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 1972;27:133–46.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Clement PB. Reactive tumor-like lesions of the peritoneum. Am J Clin Pathol. 1995;103:673–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Lauchlan SC. The secondary Müllerian system revisited. Int J Gynecol Pathol. 1994;13:73–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kitawaki J, Kado N, Ishihara H, Koshiba H, Kitaoka Y, Honjo H. Endometriosis: the pathophysiology as an estrogen-dependent disease. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2002;83:149–55.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Okamura H, Katabuchi H. Pathophysiological dynamics of human ovarian surface epithelial cells in epithelial ovarian carcinogenesis. Int Rev Cytol. 2005;242:1–54.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Ridley JH. Pathogenesis of endometriosis. A review of facts and fancies. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 1968;23:1–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Victory R, Diamond MP, Johns DA. Villar’s node: a case report and systematic review of endometriosis externa of the umbilicous. J Mnim Invasive Gynecol. 2007;14:23–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Katabuchi H. J Japan Societ Endo. 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Halme J, Hammond MG, Hulka JF, Raj SG, Talbert LM. Retrograde menstruation in healthy women and in patients with endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol. 1984;64:151–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Okamura H, Katabuchi H. Detailed morphology of human ovarian surface epithelium focusing on its metaplastic and neoplastic capability. Ital J Anat Embryol. 2001;106:263–76.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Nakamura M, Katabuchi H, Ohba T, Fukumatsu Y, Okamura H. Isolation, growth and characteristics of human ovarian surface epithelium. Virchows Arch. 1994;424:59–67.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Ohtake H, Katabuchi H, Matsuura K, Okamura H. A novel in vitro experimental model for ovarian endometriosis: the three-dimensional culture of human ovarian surface epithelial cells in collagen gels. Fertil Steril. 1999;71:50–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Okamura H, Katabuchi H, Nitta M, Ohtake H. Structural changes and cell properties of human ovarian surface epithelium in ovarian pathophysiology. Microsc Res Tech. 2006;69:469–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Zeitoun K, Takayama K, Sasano H, Suzuki T, Moghrabi N, Andersson S, Johns A, Meng L, Putman M, Carr B, Bulun SE. Deficient 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 expression in endometriosis: failure to metabolize 17beta-estradiol. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998;83:4474–80.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Bulun SE, Cheng YH, Yin P, Imir G, Utsunomiya H, Attae E, Innes J, Julie KJ. Progesterone resistance in endometriosis: link to failure to metabolize estradiol. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2006;248:94–103.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Attia GR, Zeitoun K, Edward D, Johns A, Carr BR, Bulun SE. Progesterone receptor isoform A but not B is expressed in endometriosis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000;85:2897–902.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Burney RO, Talbi S, Hamilton AE, Vo KC, Nyegaard M, Nezhat CR, Lessey BA, Giudice LC. Gene expression analysis of endometrium reveals progesterone resistance and candidate susceptibility genes in women with endometriosis. Endocrinology. 2007;148:3814–26.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Jones RK, Searle RF, Bulmer JN. Apoptosis and bcl-2 expression in normal human endometrium, endometriosis and adenomyosis. Hum Reprod. 1998;13:3496–502.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Treloar SA, Wicks J, Nyholt DR, Montgomery GW, Bahlo M, Smith V, Dawson G, Mackay IJ, Weeks DE, Bennett ST, Carey A, Ewen-White KR, Duffy DL, O’Connor DT, Barlow DH, Martin NG, Kennedy SH. Genomewide linkage study in 1,176 affected sister pair families identifies a significant susceptibility locus for endometriosis on chromosome 10q26. Am J Hum Genet. 2005;77:365–76.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Painter JN, Anderson CA, Nyholt DR, Macgregor S, Lin J, Lee SH, Lambert A, Zhao ZZ, Roseman F, Guo Q, Gordon SD, Wallace L, Henders AK, Visscher PM, Kraft P, Martin NG, Morris AP, Treloar SA, Kennedy SH, Missmer SA, Montgomery GW, Zondervan KT. Genome-wide association study identifies a locus at 7p15.2 associated with endometriosis. Nat Genet. 2011;43:51–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Fukumatsu Y, Katabuchi H, Miyamura S, Matsuura K, Okamura H, Naito M, Takahashi K. Activated macrophages in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis: examination of the intracytoplasmic localization of endogenous peroxidase and interleukin-1. Acta Obst Gynaec Jpn. 1992;44:529–36.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Okamura H, Katabuchi H, Kanzaki H. Macrophages in reproductive biology. In: Lewis C, Burke B, editors. The Macrophages. London: Oxford University Press; 2002. p. 548–76.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Sharpe-Timms KL, Piva M, Ricke EA, Surewicz K, Zhang YL, Zimmmer RL. Endometriotic lesions synthesize and secrete a haptoglobin-like protein. Biol Reprod. 1998;58:988–94.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Co-workers in our Department

Okamura H, Matsuura K, Ohba T, Tashiro H, Fukumatsu Y, Nakamura M, Ohtake H, Motohara K, Miyamura S.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan

    Ritsuo Honda M.D., Ph.D. & Hidetaka Katabuchi

Authors
  1. Ritsuo Honda M.D., Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hidetaka Katabuchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ritsuo Honda M.D., Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan

    Tasuku Harada

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Japan

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Honda, R., Katabuchi, H. (2014). Pathological Aspect and Pathogenesis of Endometriosis. In: Harada, T. (eds) Endometriosis. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54421-0_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54421-0_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo

  • Print ISBN: 978-4-431-54420-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-4-431-54421-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation