Immunoscintigraphy of endometriosis

Article Abstract:

In the last decade, laboratory tests for diagnosing cancer and other diseases have been designed to identify the presence of proteins that are specific for the disease. CA-125 is a tumor marker, or surface protein found on malignant gynecologic cells and on endometriotic tissue, which is derived from the uterine lining and can be found throughout the abdomen. An antibody that recognizes CA-125, OC-125, has been used in two types of diagnostic tests. In one test, radioactively-labeled OC-125 is given to women and its disposition in the body can be detected by immunoscintigraphy, a scanning technique. The second test uses OC-125 to detect blood levels of CA-125. To determine the effectiveness of these tests in detecting endometriosis, 27 women with suspected endometriosis were given radioactive OC-125 one week before exploratory surgery. In addition, blood levels of CA-125 were measured in 16 women. Immunoscintigraphy was positive in 22 women, 16 of whom had endometriosis, three of whom had pelvic adhesions or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and one of whom was apparently normal. Of five women who were negative by scintigraphy, three were normal and two had endometriosis. Some of the positive results in women who appeared normal may have resulted from detection of microscopic endometrial tissue. The blood test only detected two possible cases of endometriosis, one of whom had probable PID, the other having endometriosis. It missed nine women with endometriosis. The study shows that although CA-125 scintigraphy is not entirely specific for endometriosis, but rather may reflect peritoneal inflammation, it nevertheless may become a useful test in identifying women who should undergo exploratory surgery. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Radionuclide imaging, Radioisotope scanning, Immunodiagnosis

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Autoreactivity in women with endometriosis

Article Abstract:

Endometriosis, a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus is implanted in other locations in the body (usually in the pelvis). The condition is associated with infertility and may be present in as many as 30 percent of women who are examined for unexplained infertility. Endometriosis may be associated, either as a cause or a consequence, with abnormal immune responses; in particular, with the generation of autoantibodies (antibodies produced against the body's own proteins). This possibility was tested by analyzing autoantibody levels in blood from 71 patients with known endometriosis and from 109 women without endometriosis. The women with endometriosis had undergone laparoscopy (viewing the internal organs with the aid of a fiberoptic tube) to determine the stage of their disease. Levels of several autoantibodies were determined. When compared with the controls, the women with endometriosis had elevated levels of autoantibodies against several substances, including components of the cell nuclei (antinuclear antibodies); components of DNA or RNA (ribonucleoproteins); and smooth muscle cells. Fifty-eight percent of the women with endometriosis had some type of autoantibody, compared with only 12 percent of control subjects. The levels of IgG and IgM, two antibody classes, were higher in women with more extensive disease. A brief review is presented of the medical literature concerning endometriosis and autoantibodies. The results support considering endometriosis an autoimmune disease, but whether autoantibodies produce the condition is not known. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Infertility, Female, Female infertility

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Endometriosis - a disease because it is characterized by bleeding

Article Abstract:

Endometriosis may be a normal phenomenon unless bleeding and disease progression develops in the tissue lesions outside the uterus. Endometriosis is a complication of menstruation where menstrual tissue, sometimes containing blood-filled cysts, is found outside the uterus. Steroid hormones produced by the ovaries may cause endometriosis. The condition can be diagnosed noninvasively with color Doppler ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. Endometriosis can be treated by controlling bleeding from extrauterine tissue implants or by surgery to remove tissue. Cessation of menstruation without inducing low estrogen levels may improve endometriosis.

Complications and side effects, Menstruation, Menstruation disorders

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