Endometriosis Mimicking Soft-Tissue Neoplasms: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall
Yi Ding1, Julie Gibbs2, Ge Xiong3
1Department of Pathology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Fourth Medical College of Peking University, China.
Cancer Control : Journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center
|February 9, 2017
Summary
Endometriosis can rarely occur outside the pelvis, mimicking tumors like synovial sarcoma. Early detection requires high suspicion and thorough pathological evaluation for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder primarily affecting the pelvic region.
- Extrapelvic endometriosis is rare, with abdominal scars being the most common site, though other locations like lungs, brain, and extremities have been reported.
Observation:
- This study presents two cases of endometriosis with unusual presentations.
- One case involved endometriosis of the wrist, clinically resembling a soft-tissue neoplasm.
- Another case featured right-groin endometriosis that mimicked synovial sarcoma on fine needle aspiration.
Findings:
- Endometriosis of the skeletal muscle of the wrist is a previously unreported finding.
- The cases highlight diagnostic challenges, particularly differentiating endometriosis from malignancies like synovial sarcoma.
Implications:
- A high index of suspicion for endometriosis is crucial when evaluating soft-tissue masses in women of reproductive age.
- Accurate diagnosis relies on integrating pathological findings with clinical and radiological information.
- Understanding these diagnostic pitfalls can improve patient management and prevent misdiagnosis.
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