Is it possible to diagnose endometriosis without surgery? Many trustworthy websites show that although a clinical non-surgical diagnosis may be possible, laparoscopic surgery with histopathological confirmation is the only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis. However, this is no longer true; advancements in technology have made it possible to definitively diagnose endometriosis without invasive surgery.

Why a Non-Surgical Diagnostic Method Is Necessary

Laparoscopic surgery has long been held as the gold standard for endometriosis diagnosis, but it is not without its limitations. 

Compared to other methods physicians may use to diagnose endometriosis, the laparoscopic approach requires surgeons to first visually confirm the presence of endometrial lesions, then remove a sample, send it to the pathology lab, and wait for histopathologic confirmation.

One limitation of this approach though is that the lesions can be difficult to identify if they are obscured or do not have the characteristic appearance of an endometrial lesion.1  Another limitation is that this approach relies heavily on a surgeon’s experience in identifying the lesions. One study found 25% of the lesions surgeons marked as “atypical-appearing tissue not presumed to be endometriosis” were histologically confirmed as endometriosis.2 Even with extensive experience, a surgeon may not see the lesions if they are hidden deep within different organs or outside the pelvic cavity. For these reasons, studies suggest laparoscopic diagnosis has limited accuracy.2, 3 Generally, histological confirmation is definitively accurate.

Without a definitive diagnosis, patients and healthcare providers face significant challenges in determining when to treat or choosing an effective course of treatment. Timely diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis are critical to a patient's quality of life. Diagnostic delays mean women continue suffering the chronic and often-debilitating pain associated with endometriosis for years before ever knowing what is wrong.

A faster way to reliably diagnose endometriosis means patients can be treated at much earlier stages of their disease. 

The Future of Endometriosis Care

ENDOSURE, INC. envisions a future in endometriosis care where timely diagnosis is no longer a barrier to effective disease management. Even more so, we see a future where no woman must wait nearly a decade – the current global average – before receiving a definitive diagnosis.

The ENDOSURE TEST has already begun ushering in this new era of endometriosis diagnostics. Surgically verified studies demonstrated 99% accuracy, with the TEST capable of detecting endometriosis in patients of any age, at any stage, anywhere in the body - offering patients a remarkably accurate and timely diagnosis.

The endo test is actively being used in many gynecology practices around the world. It has made it possible for healthcare providers not only to reliably diagnose endometriosis earlier than ever before but also to begin targeted treatment without delay. This has had an enormous positive effect on the lives and livelihoods of so many to date. 

Conclusion

A new era of endometriosis diagnostics is here. Laparoscopic diagnosis is no longer the only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis. The ENDOSURE TEST is now a complementary verifiable option, effectively overcoming the limitations of laparoscopic diagnosis and other imaging options. If you think you have endometriosis, talk to your healthcare provider. Learn more about the ENDOSURE TEST.

References:

1. Mettler L, Schollmeyer T, Lehmann-Willenbrock E, et al. Accuracy of laparoscopic diagnosis of endometriosis. JSLS. 2003;7(1):15-18.

2. Pascoal E, Wessels JM, Aas-Eng MK, et al. Strengths and limitations of diagnostic tools for endometriosis and relevance in diagnostic test accuracy research. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2022;60(3):309-327. doi:10.1002/uog.24892

3. Simko S, Wright KN. The future of diagnostic laparoscopy - Cons. Reprod Fertil. 2022;3(2):R91-R95. Published 2022 Apr 20. doi:10.1530/RAF-22-0007