Cutaneous endometriosis

Cutaneous endometriosis is characterized by the appearance of papules at the umbilicus or in lower abdominal scars after gynecologic surgery in middle-aged women. The size averages to 2 cm in diameter. Its colour ranges from blue to violet, brown or skin-coloured.

Rarely, endometriosis may present inside the muscles of the abdominal wall instead of the skin after cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms
The traditional manifestation of cutaneous endometriosis is a hard nodule or papule with an average diameter of 2 cm. If a patient presents with a nodule at the umbilicus and exhibits symptoms like discomfort, itching, bleeding, or discharge, it is recommended to consider umbilical endometriosis. Localized indications of inflammation, like erythema, could be present in the impacted regions.

Causes
There are two types of cutaneous endometriosis: primary and secondary. Primary cutaneous endometriosis is known to develop spontaneously, yet its exact cause is unknown. It is believed that treatments related to abdominal or pelvic surgery that result in the implantation of endometrial tissue into the skin are the cause of secondary cutaneous endometriosis.

Diagnosis
A biopsy of the lesion and subsequent histological analysis can be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment
For cutaneous endometriosis, there are two possible treatment modalities: hormone therapy and surgery. Oral contraceptives, danazol, and gonadotropin-releasing hormonal agonists are examples of hormonal therapy.