Endosalpingiosis: The “Other” Condition on Your Pathology Report
When you undergo surgery for pelvic pain, you are justifiably focused on one diagnosis: endometriosis. So, it can be confusing if your pathology report comes back with a different, unfamiliar term: endosalpingiosis.
At ESSI, our patient-centric mission is to provide you with a complete and accurate diagnosis. If this term is on your report, it’s important to understand what it is, what it isn’t, and what it means for your health.
What Is Endosalpingiosis?
At its simplest, endosalpingiosis is the presence of fallopian tube-like tissue in locations outside of the fallopian tube.
Your fallopian tubes are lined with a special type of cell that has tiny, hair-like projections called cilia. These cilia beat in rhythm to gently move an egg from the ovary to the uterus. In endosalpingiosis, these ciliated cells are found in other places, such as on the surface of the peritoneum (the lining of your pelvis), on the ovaries, or even in lymph nodes.
This condition is almost always benign, meaning it is not cancerous.
Endosalpingiosis vs. Endometriosis: What’s the Difference?
This is the most critical point for patients. While they are “sister” conditions and are often found together, they are not the same thing. The primary difference is the type of misplaced tissue.
| Feature | Endometriosis | Endosalpingiosis |
| Cell Type | Endometrial-like (similar to uterine lining) | Fallopian tube-like (ciliated cells) |
| Appearance | Lesions, “powder-burn” marks, adhesions, and blood-filled cysts (endometriomas) | Often microscopic or small, clear/whitish fluid-filled cysts (inclusion cysts) |
| Link to Symptoms | Strongly linked to pelvic pain, inflammation, and infertility | Unclear / Debated. Most often found incidentally. |
| Malignant Risk | Very low, but has a known (rare) association | Considered benign |
The Big Question: Does Endosalpingiosis Cause Pain?
This is the most common question patients ask, and the answer is a subject of ongoing medical discussion.
Here’s what the evidence shows:
- It is often found with endometriosis: The vast majority of patients who have endosalpingiosis also have endometriosis.
- Endometriosis is the known cause: Endometriosis is a well-established inflammatory disease that is a proven cause of pelvic pain and infertility.
- It’s usually an “incidental finding”: Because of this, most large-scale studies have not found a significant link between endosalpingiosis by itself and pain. It is most often considered an “incidental finding” discovered by the pathologist under a microscope.
Therefore, while a few case reports suggest it may be a factor in rare cases, the overwhelming consensus is that a patient’s pain and infertility symptoms are driven by the endometriosis.
At ESSI, finding endosalpingiosis on your report confirms that your pathology team was thorough. It helps rule out other conditions and allows us to confidently focus your treatment on the true, proven source of your symptoms: endometriosis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is endosalpingiosis a form of endometriosis?
A: No. They are different conditions, though they are frequently found in the same patient. Endometriosis is tissue like the uterine lining, while endosalpingiosis is tissue like the fallopian tube lining.
Q: Is endosalpingiosis serious?
A: No. Endosalpingiosis is considered a benign condition and is not cancerous. In the vast majority of cases, it is not a cause for serious concern.
Q: Can endosalpingiosis cause pain?
A: While this is a topic of medical debate, there is no strong evidence that endosalpingiosis on its own causes significant pain. It is most often found incidentally in patients who also have endometriosis, and it is the endometriosis that is the proven source of pain and other symptoms.
Q: What is the treatment for endosalpingiosis?
A: Since it’s benign and not considered the primary source of symptoms, it often requires no specific treatment. If it’s found during expert excision surgery for endometriosis, your surgeon will typically remove any visible lesions as part of the complete and thorough procedure to restore normal anatomy.
Interesting in learning more? Request a consultation with ESSI today!
