Endometriosis, the great imitator - a successful case of fertility preservation in a woman receiving sterilizing treatment due to a diagnosis of rectosigmoid carcinoma

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2019 Nov;35(11):945-948. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2019.1633298. Epub 2019 Jun 28.

Abstract

Bowels are the most common site of extrapelvic endometriosis. Still, colonic endometriosis often presents a diagnostic challenge, mimicking a broad spectrum of diseases including primary colonic malignancy. For women of fertile age, the consequences of endometriosis being misdiagnosed as colorectal cancer may include loss of fertility. We hereby present a case of endometriosis mimicking rectosigmoid adenocarcinoma in a young woman, where fertility preservation prior to the start of antineoplastic treatments turned out to be of crucial importance for the woman's future attempts to achieve a pregnancy and livebirth.

Keywords: Fertility preservation; colorectal adenocarcinoma; endometriosis; live birth.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Endometriosis / diagnosis*
  • Endometriosis / surgery
  • Female
  • Fertility Preservation*
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease
  • Infertility, Female / etiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Rectal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / surgery