Abstract: The pathogenesis of endometriosis is multifactorial. More and more studies attempt to isolate and characterize endometrial stem/progenitor cells. These stem cells possibly reside in the stromal of the basal layer. Currently, no known markers are specific for the endometrial stem/progenitor cells. There are perhaps at least two endometrial stem cells, including endometrium-derived and bone marrow-derived stem cells, which likely migrate to ectopic sites through retrograde menstrual flow or via the circulation and form endometriotic implants in specific microenvironment. It shows that endometriosis maybe a stem cell disease.

Key words: Endometriosis, Stem cells, Endometrium, Cell differentiation