Cutaneous endometriosis

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

References

Cutaneous endometriosis Resources
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