ABSTRACT
Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue at an extrauterine site. Although not typically life threatening, this disease can result in considerable morbidity from an array of gynecologic and non-gynecologic problems including dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and infertility. In addition, it often presents as diagnostically perplexing symptoms that arise as a result of local and regional effects of these implants. From a basic science perspective, the initiation, development and differentiated function of ectopic implants of endometrium present a fascinating regulatory contrast to the intrauterine endometrium and raises questions regarding the mechanism(s) for initiation and maintenance of ectopic endometrial implants. And finally, the increasing prevalence of endometriosis represents an urgent call to develop novel treatment modalities and strategies for prevention.
