I had endometriosis and have finally been cured after eight laser abdominal surgeries. What chromosomes carry endometriosis, and is it recessive or dominant? My mother was diagnosed with endometriosis after a complete hysterectomy (she experienced no pain); my father was an only child, and his mother and aunts had trouble having children but were never diagnosed. I'd like to know what role inheritance might play in this.

Ann

A woman is four times more likely to have endometriosis if a mother or sister is affected. So there is a strong genetic component. The condition is also found more commonly in women with immune abnormalities and allergies. It would appear that a gene involved in the detoxification of certain environmental toxins may be involved. You can learn more about an ongoing study to evaluate the genetic component of this disease at the OXEGENE (Oxford Endometriosis Gene Study) site.

I am happy that you are doing well after your last surgery. But I believe that endometriosis is a chronic disease like diabetes. Its symptoms can be managed, but the majority of evidence suggests that regardless of the skills of your surgeon, the chromosomal components and immune abnormalities of this condition continue to exist. As such, I am suspect of any claims of a surgical "cure." However, the success at control of symptoms and delay of recurrence is very dependent on surgical skill. Ideally, surgery should be performed by a skilled surgeon able to manage involvement of the bowel, bladder or other pelvic structures at the time of initial surgery.