Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of endometriosis

Richard O Burney; Linda C Giudice

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.06.029

Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of endometriosis

Richard O Burney, Linda C Giudice

Fertility and sterility · 2012 · vol. 98(3) , pp. 511–519 · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.06.029 · W2071667212

review OA: bronze CC0 ⤵ 1225 in-corpus citations

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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-05, 2026-05-14 ⓘ

This review examines the histopathogenesis and pathophysiology of endometriosis—an inflammatory, estrogen-dependent disorder marked by extrauterine endometrial glands and stroma, pelvic pain, and infertility—covering theories of origin and molecular bases of disease sequelae.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Animals Cell Adhesion Cell Survival Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Female Humans Inflammation Inflammation Neovascularization, Physiologic

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Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (100)

Apoptosis and bcl-2 expression in normal human endometrium, endometriosis and adenomyosis via openalex
Aromatase expression in endometriosis via openalex
Aromatase expression in endometriosis. via openalex
Aromatase expression in endometriotic tissues and cell cultures of patients with endometriosis via openalex
Autoantibodies and infertility: a review of the literature via openalex
Basal and stimulated secretion of cytokines by peritoneal macrophages in women with endometriosis via openalex
Cell proliferation is increased in the endometrium of women with endometriosis via openalex
Chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis: translational evidence of the relationship and implications via openalex
Classification of endometriotic implants by morphologic appearance and capacity to synthesize prostaglandin F via openalex
Current concepts on pathology, histogenesis and etiology of endometriosis via openalex
Deficient 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 Expression in Endometriosis: Failure to Metabolize 17β-Estradiol1 via openalex
Distinct mechanisms regulate cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in peritoneal macrophages of women with and without endometriosis via openalex
Elevated angiogenin levels in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis correlate with the extent of the disorder via openalex
Endometrial induction of endometriosis across Millipore filters. via openalex
Endometrial Stromal Cells and Immune Cell Populations Within Lymph Nodes in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Endometriosis via openalex
Endometriosis via openalex
Endometriosis in a patient with Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome via openalex
Endometriosis in association with uterine anomaly via openalex
Endometriosis in monozygotic twins via openalex
Endometriosis of the Male Urinary System: A Case Report via openalex
Endometriosis: pathogenetic implications of the anatomic distribution. via openalex
Endometriosis: the pathophysiology as an estrogen-dependent disease via openalex
Endometriosis: The Role of Neuroangiogenesis via openalex
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ENDOMETRIOSIS via openalex
Epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis via openalex
Expression of interstitial collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1) is related to the activity of human endometriotic lesions via openalex
EXTRAPELVIC ENDOMETRIOSIS via openalex
Gene Expression Analysis of Endometrium Reveals Progesterone Resistance and Candidate Susceptibility Genes in Women with Endometriosis via openalex
Genome-wide association study identifies a locus at 7p15.2 associated with endometriosis via openalex
Genomewide Linkage Study in 1,176 Affected Sister Pair Families Identifies a Significant Susceptibility Locus for Endometriosis on Chromosome 10q26 via openalex
Genomic Alterations in Ectopic and Eutopic Endometria of Women with Endometriosis via openalex
Heritable aspects of endometriosis via openalex
High prevalence of endometriosis in infertile women with normal ovulation and normospermic partners via openalex
High rates of autoimmune and endocrine disorders, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and atopic diseases among women with endometriosis: a survey analysis via openalex
HOX gene expression is altered in the endometrium of women with endometriosis via openalex
Impact of endometriosis on quality of life and work productivity: a multicenter study across ten countries via openalex
Increased interleukin-6 levels in peritoneal fluid of infertile patients with active endometriosis via openalex
Increased peritoneal and endometrial gene expression of biologically relevant cytokines and growth factors during the menstrual phase in women with endometriosis via openalex
Increased secretion of hepatocyte growth factor by eutopic endometrial stromal cells in women with endometriosis via openalex
Induction of endometrial epithelial cell invasion and c-fms expression by transforming growth factor beta via openalex
Interleukin-6 secretion in vitro is up-regulated in ectopic and eutopic endometrial stromal cells from women with endometriosis. via openalex
In utero exposures and the incidence of endometriosis via openalex
Involvement of the nuclear factor-κB pathway in the pathogenesis of endometriosis via openalex
Is there an association between septate uterus and endometriosis? via openalex
Left lateral predisposition of endometriosis and endometrioma via openalex
Left Lateral Predisposition of Endometriosis and Endometrioma via openalex
Loss of heterozygosity on 10q23.3 and mutation of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN in benign endometrial cyst of the ovary: possible sequence progression from benign endometrial cyst to endometrioid carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. via openalex
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor expression in the intrauterine endometrium of women with endometriosis varies with disease stage, infertility status, and pelvic pain via openalex
Marked elevation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis via openalex
Menstrual bleeding from an endometriotic lesion via openalex
Metastatic or Embolic Endometriosis, due to the Menstrual Dissemination of Endometrial Tissue into the Venous Circulation. via openalex
Modulation of NK Cell Lytic Function by Endometrial Secretory Factors: Potential Role in Endometriosis via openalex
Nonhuman Primate Models for Translational Research in Endometriosis via openalex
On the Vasculature of Ectopic Endometrium with Decidual Reaction via openalex
Ovarian steroid regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor in the human endometrium: implications for angiogenesis during the menstrual cycle and in the pathogenesis of endometriosis via openalex
Ovarian steroid regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor in the human endometrium: implications for angiogenesis during the menstrual cycle and in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. via openalex
Peritoneal endometriosis due to the menstrual dissemination of endometrial tissue into the peritoneal cavity via openalex
Placebo-controlled comparison of danazol and high-dose medroxypro-gesterone acetate in the treatment of endometriosis after conservative surgery via openalex
Progesterone Receptor Isoform A But Not B Is Expressed in Endometriosis via openalex
Progesterone Receptor Isoform A But Not B Is Expressed in Endometriosis1 via openalex
Prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of laser laparoscopy in the treatment of pelvic pain associated with minimal, mild, and moderate endometriosis via openalex
Prostaglandin E2 Stimulates Aromatase Expression in Endometriosis-Derived Stromal Cells via openalex
Prostaglandin E2 Via Steroidogenic Factor-1 Coordinately Regulates Transcription of Steroidogenic Genes Necessary for Estrogen Synthesis in Endometriosis via openalex
Prostaglandin E2Stimulates Aromatase Expression in Endometriosis-Derived Stromal Cells1 via openalex
Retrograde menstruation in healthy women and in patients with endometriosis. via openalex
Role of K-ras and Pten in the development of mouse models of endometriosis and endometrioid ovarian cancer via openalex
Stenosis of the external cervical os: an association with endometriosis in women with chronic pelvic pain via openalex
Steroid and Cytokine Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Endometriosis and the Establishment of Experimental Endometriosis in Nude Mice via openalex
The burden of endometriosis: costs and quality of life of women with endometriosis and treated in referral centres via openalex
The expression profile of micro-RNA in endometrium and endometriosis and the influence of ovarian steroids on their expression via openalex
The insulin-like growth factor system in human peritoneal fluid: its effects on endometrial stromal cells and its potential relevance to endometriosis via openalex
The insulin-like growth factor system in human peritoneal fluid: its effects on endometrial stromal cells and its potential relevance to endometriosis. via openalex
The Pains of Endometriosis via openalex
THE PATHOGENESIS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS via openalex
The Spread of Benign and Malignant Endometrium in the Lymphatic System with a Note on Coexisting Vascular Involvement via openalex
Three-dimensional architectures of peritoneal endometriosis via openalex
Thyroid Dysfunction and Autoimmunity in Infertile Women via openalex
Tissue integrity is essential for ectopic implantation of human endometrium in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane via openalex
W2154968546 via openalex
W2073595123 via openalex
W2164385268 via openalex
W2063058031 via openalex
W2057085814 via openalex
W2279547604 via openalex
W2290029196 via openalex
W2291960606 via openalex
W2396690367 via openalex
W2039144212 via openalex
W2404450017 via openalex
W2028659031 via openalex
W2418200982 via openalex
W2418373307 via openalex
W2010311608 via openalex
W1987520465 via openalex
W1985959551 via openalex
W170550312 via openalex
W151780086 via openalex
W4250694871 via openalex
W141728048 via openalex
W6604186803 via openalex

Cited by (50)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK

[1] Apoptosis and bcl-2 expression in normal human endometrium, endometriosis and adenomyosis via openalex

[2] Aromatase expression in endometriosis via openalex

[3] Aromatase expression in endometriosis. via openalex

[4] Aromatase expression in endometriotic tissues and cell cultures of patients with endometriosis via openalex

[5] Autoantibodies and infertility: a review of the literature via openalex

[6] Basal and stimulated secretion of cytokines by peritoneal macrophages in women with endometriosis via openalex

[7] Cell proliferation is increased in the endometrium of women with endometriosis via openalex

[8] Chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis: translational evidence of the relationship and implications via openalex

[9] Classification of endometriotic implants by morphologic appearance and capacity to synthesize prostaglandin F via openalex

[10] Current concepts on pathology, histogenesis and etiology of endometriosis via openalex

[11] Deficient 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 Expression in Endometriosis: Failure to Metabolize 17β-Estradiol<sup>1</sup> via openalex

[12] Distinct mechanisms regulate cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in peritoneal macrophages of women with and without endometriosis via openalex

[13] Elevated angiogenin levels in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis correlate with the extent of the disorder via openalex

[14] Endometrial induction of endometriosis across Millipore filters. via openalex

[15] Endometrial Stromal Cells and Immune Cell Populations Within Lymph Nodes in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Endometriosis via openalex

[16] Endometriosis via openalex

[17] Endometriosis in a patient with Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome via openalex

[18] Endometriosis in association with uterine anomaly via openalex

[19] Endometriosis in monozygotic twins via openalex

[20] Endometriosis of the Male Urinary System: A Case Report via openalex

[21] Endometriosis: pathogenetic implications of the anatomic distribution. via openalex

[22] Endometriosis: the pathophysiology as an estrogen-dependent disease via openalex

[23] Endometriosis: The Role of Neuroangiogenesis via openalex

[24] EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ENDOMETRIOSIS via openalex

[25] Epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis via openalex

[26] Expression of interstitial collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1) is related to the activity of human endometriotic lesions via openalex

[27] EXTRAPELVIC ENDOMETRIOSIS via openalex

[28] Gene Expression Analysis of Endometrium Reveals Progesterone Resistance and Candidate Susceptibility Genes in Women with Endometriosis via openalex

[29] Genome-wide association study identifies a locus at 7p15.2 associated with endometriosis via openalex

[30] Genomewide Linkage Study in 1,176 Affected Sister Pair Families Identifies a Significant Susceptibility Locus for Endometriosis on Chromosome 10q26 via openalex

[31] Genomic Alterations in Ectopic and Eutopic Endometria of Women with Endometriosis via openalex

[32] Heritable aspects of endometriosis via openalex

[33] High prevalence of endometriosis in infertile women with normal ovulation and normospermic partners via openalex

[34] High rates of autoimmune and endocrine disorders, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and atopic diseases among women with endometriosis: a survey analysis via openalex

[35] HOX gene expression is altered in the endometrium of women with endometriosis via openalex

[36] Impact of endometriosis on quality of life and work productivity: a multicenter study across ten countries via openalex

[37] Increased interleukin-6 levels in peritoneal fluid of infertile patients with active endometriosis via openalex

[38] Increased peritoneal and endometrial gene expression of biologically relevant cytokines and growth factors during the menstrual phase in women with endometriosis via openalex

[39] Increased secretion of hepatocyte growth factor by eutopic endometrial stromal cells in women with endometriosis via openalex

[40] Induction of endometrial epithelial cell invasion and c-fms expression by transforming growth factor beta via openalex

[41] Interleukin-6 secretion in vitro is up-regulated in ectopic and eutopic endometrial stromal cells from women with endometriosis. via openalex

[42] In utero exposures and the incidence of endometriosis via openalex

[43] Involvement of the nuclear factor-κB pathway in the pathogenesis of endometriosis via openalex

[44] Is there an association between septate uterus and endometriosis? via openalex

[45] Left lateral predisposition of endometriosis and endometrioma via openalex

[46] Left Lateral Predisposition of Endometriosis and Endometrioma via openalex

[47] Loss of heterozygosity on 10q23.3 and mutation of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN in benign endometrial cyst of the ovary: possible sequence progression from benign endometrial cyst to endometrioid carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. via openalex

[48] Macrophage migration inhibitory factor expression in the intrauterine endometrium of women with endometriosis varies with disease stage, infertility status, and pelvic pain via openalex

[49] Marked elevation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis via openalex

[50] Menstrual bleeding from an endometriotic lesion via openalex

[51] Metastatic or Embolic Endometriosis, due to the Menstrual Dissemination of Endometrial Tissue into the Venous Circulation. via openalex

[52] Modulation of NK Cell Lytic Function by Endometrial Secretory Factors: Potential Role in Endometriosis via openalex

[53] Nonhuman Primate Models for Translational Research in Endometriosis via openalex

[54] On the Vasculature of Ectopic Endometrium with Decidual Reaction via openalex

[55] Ovarian steroid regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor in the human endometrium: implications for angiogenesis during the menstrual cycle and in the pathogenesis of endometriosis via openalex

[56] Ovarian steroid regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor in the human endometrium: implications for angiogenesis during the menstrual cycle and in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. via openalex

[57] Peritoneal endometriosis due to the menstrual dissemination of endometrial tissue into the peritoneal cavity via openalex

[58] Placebo-controlled comparison of danazol and high-dose medroxypro-gesterone acetate in the treatment of endometriosis after conservative surgery via openalex

[59] Progesterone Receptor Isoform A But Not B Is Expressed in Endometriosis via openalex

[60] Progesterone Receptor Isoform A But Not B Is Expressed in Endometriosis1 via openalex

[61] Prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of laser laparoscopy in the treatment of pelvic pain associated with minimal, mild, and moderate endometriosis via openalex

[62] Prostaglandin E2 Stimulates Aromatase Expression in Endometriosis-Derived Stromal Cells via openalex

[63] Prostaglandin E2 Via Steroidogenic Factor-1 Coordinately Regulates Transcription of Steroidogenic Genes Necessary for Estrogen Synthesis in Endometriosis via openalex

[64] Prostaglandin E<sub>2</sub>Stimulates Aromatase Expression in Endometriosis-Derived Stromal Cells<sup>1</sup> via openalex

[65] Retrograde menstruation in healthy women and in patients with endometriosis. via openalex

[66] Role of K-ras and Pten in the development of mouse models of endometriosis and endometrioid ovarian cancer via openalex

[67] Stenosis of the external cervical os: an association with endometriosis in women with chronic pelvic pain via openalex

[68] Steroid and Cytokine Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Endometriosis and the Establishment of Experimental Endometriosis in Nude Mice via openalex

[69] The burden of endometriosis: costs and quality of life of women with endometriosis and treated in referral centres via openalex

[70] The expression profile of micro-RNA in endometrium and endometriosis and the influence of ovarian steroids on their expression via openalex

[71] The insulin-like growth factor system in human peritoneal fluid: its effects on endometrial stromal cells and its potential relevance to endometriosis via openalex

[72] The insulin-like growth factor system in human peritoneal fluid: its effects on endometrial stromal cells and its potential relevance to endometriosis. via openalex

[73] The Pains of Endometriosis via openalex

[74] THE PATHOGENESIS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS via openalex

[75] The Spread of Benign and Malignant Endometrium in the Lymphatic System with a Note on Coexisting Vascular Involvement via openalex

[76] Three-dimensional architectures of peritoneal endometriosis via openalex

[77] Thyroid Dysfunction and Autoimmunity in Infertile Women via openalex

[78] Tissue integrity is essential for ectopic implantation of human endometrium in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane via openalex

[79] W2154968546 via openalex

[80] W2073595123 via openalex

[81] W2164385268 via openalex

[82] W2063058031 via openalex

[83] W2057085814 via openalex

[84] W2279547604 via openalex

[85] W2290029196 via openalex

[86] W2291960606 via openalex

[87] W2396690367 via openalex

[88] W2039144212 via openalex

[89] W2404450017 via openalex

[90] W2028659031 via openalex

[91] W2418200982 via openalex

[92] W2418373307 via openalex

[93] W2010311608 via openalex

[94] W1987520465 via openalex

[95] W1985959551 via openalex

[96] W170550312 via openalex

[97] W151780086 via openalex

[98] W4250694871 via openalex

[99] W141728048 via openalex

[100] W6604186803 via openalex