Some years ago I wrote a brief blog where I outlined my belief that our current definition of endometriosis was far too simplistic and created significant difficulties for both patients and medical practitioners. A fabulous thought-provoking Review Article in the Lancet earlier this year by the highly respected Prof Hugh Taylor who incidentally I have met in the past makes a similar case for the disease to be recognised as a systemic disorder.
He highlights that the full effect of the disease is not fully recognised and goes far beyond the pelvis. Recognition of the full scope of the disease will facilitate clinical diagnosis and allow for more comprehensive treatment than currently available.
The simplistic current definition of the disease as simply the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus encourages unrealistic expectation of what is possible with our current therapeutic armamentarium.
A more thorough understanding of the problem can only be in our patient and practitioner’s best interests.
Michael Cooper
