LessWrong (Curated & Popular) “Endometriosis is an incredibly interesting disease” by Abhishaike Mahajan
Jun 19, 2025
Endometriosis is a disease that intrigues for its complexity, marked by the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. Discussions highlight its cancer-like characteristics and the lack of effective treatments. The podcast challenges conventional understanding, exploring various origins and symptoms. It emphasizes the desperate need for increased funding and more research. Comparisons to pancreatic cancer illustrate its severity and the urgency to unravel this misrepresented condition, inviting listeners to engage in the journey toward understanding.
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Endometriosis Pathology Explained
- Endometriosis involves uterine lining-like tissue growing outside the uterus, causing cyclical inflammation and pain.
- The tissue bleeds without exit, leading to scar formation, chronic pain, and fertility issues.
Endometriosis Causes Are Complex
- Retrograde menstruation explains some cases of endometriosis but not all because it occurs in most women, yet few develop the disease.
- The disease's heterogeneity suggests multiple origins, including stem cells, embryonic remnants, and immune dysfunction.
Endometriosis Similar to Cancer
- Endometriosis shares features with cancer, like somatic mutations and invasive behavior.
- Lesions manipulate their environment to survive, resembling cancer growth and progression.
