Cutaneous endometriosis

Cutaneous endometriosis
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Painful nodules on the skin, often near surgical scars
Complications
Onset
Duration
Types
Causes	Endometrial tissue outside the uterus
Risks	Previous abdominal surgery, especially cesarean section
Diagnosis	Physical examination, Ultrasound, Biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Hernia, Hematoma, Lipoma, Abscess
Prevention
Treatment	Surgical excision, Hormonal therapy
Medication	Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Oral contraceptives
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Rare
Deaths

Cutaneous endometriosis is a rare medical condition where endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, is found in the skin. This condition is a form of endometriosis, a more general term for the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.

Symptoms

The symptoms of cutaneous endometriosis can vary, but often include:

• Painful, tender nodules in the skin
• Cyclical changes in the nodules, such as swelling or bleeding during the menstrual cycle
• Discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse or physical activity

Causes

The exact cause of cutaneous endometriosis is unknown, but several theories have been proposed. These include:

• Metaplasia, a process where one type of cell changes into another type
• Surgical transplantation, where endometrial cells are unintentionally moved to the skin during surgery
• Lymphatic or vascular dissemination, where endometrial cells travel through the blood or lymphatic system to the skin

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cutaneous endometriosis is often made through a combination of physical examination, patient history, and biopsy of the affected skin. Imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI may also be used.

Treatment

Treatment options for cutaneous endometriosis include:

• Hormone therapy, to reduce the growth of endometrial tissue
• Pain management, to help control symptoms
• Surgery, to remove the endometrial tissue from the skin

See also

• Endometriosis
• Metaplasia
• Hormone therapy