Objective: Extragenital endometriosis is a rare form of endometriosis. Due to its invasive and metastatic properties it resembles some features of malignant tumours. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and is mainly expressed in inflammatory and malignant processes. In this study we investigated the COX-2 expression in extragenital endometriosis.
Material and methods: Tissue was obtained of 13 women with rectal and vaginal endometriosis, scar endometriosis and endometriosis of the omentum majus. The COX-2 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry.
Results: In the glandular epithelium a COX-2 overexpression was found in all cases and in the stroma a weak to moderate COX-2 expression was found in half of the cases. A hormonal therapy at the time of surgery had no influence on the COX-2 expression in extragenital endometriosis.
Conclusion: The high COX-2 expression in extragenital endometriosis is believed to be strongly correlated with the pathological abnormalities this of disease.