What are the different stages of endometriosis?
Endometriosis can be classified into four stages. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) bases these stages on the lesions themselves, particularly the number of endometrial implants and their depth. However, the ASRM revised their classification to include a point system. This point system allows for a way to numerically scale the disease and help determine classification. A score of 15 or less indicates minimal or mild disease. A score of 16 or higher may indicate moderate or severe disease. It is important to note that the stage of the disease does not necessarily reflect the level of pain or presence of symptoms.
The stages of endometriosis as classified by the ASRM are:
| Stage I (1-5 points) |
|
| Stage II (6-15 points) |
|
| Stage III (16-40 points) |
|
| Stage IV (>40 points) |
|
While these are the official numbered stages of endometriosis as identified by the ASRM, the Endometriosis Foundation of America has proposed using more descriptive categories. This is because every numbered stage has so many variations and does not give any insight into the patient’s pain or where lesions can be localized. Therefore, EndoFound classifies endometriosis by its anatomical location within the pelvic and abdominal cavity. They are:
-
Category I: Peritoneal endometriosis
The most minimal form of endometriosis in which the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdomen, is infiltrated with endometriosis tissue.
-
Category II: Ovarian Endometriomas (Chocolate Cysts):
Endometriosis that is already established within the ovaries. These forms of ovarian cysts are of particular concern due to their risk of breaking and spreading endometriosis within the pelvic cavity.
-
Category III: Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis I (DIE I)
The first form of deep infiltrating endometriosis involves organs within the pelvic cavity. This can include the ovaries, rectum, uterus, and can even lead to such drastic cases as “frozen pelvis.”
-
Category IV: Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis II (DIE II)
The other more extreme form of DIE involves organs both WITHIN and OUTSIDE the pelvic cavity. This can include the bowels, appendix, diaphragm, heart, lungs, and even the brain.
These categories are defined by the necessity and complexity of the organs they involve. In other words, due to the complex treatment, various anatomical involvement, and expertise and skill that is to be utilized by different surgeons, EndoFound prefers to use this descriptive classification system.