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Research & Biology6 min read·August 2026

You Just Got Your Surgical Report, and It Says Endosalpingiosis: Here's What That Means

You have just received your surgical report after your excision surgery for endometriosis and noticed a word you've probably never seen before: endosalpingiosis. Many patients are familiar with endometriosis, but endosalpingiosis may come as a surprise. While the names sound similar, they are not the same condition.

What is endosalpingiosis?

Endosalpingiosis occurs when cells that resemble the lining of the fallopian tubes are found outside the tubes themselves. These cells can be found in various places within the pelvis or abdomen, including around the ovaries, uterus, bladder, or pelvic lining. Unlike endometriosis, these cells usually do not behave like uterine lining tissue and generally do not cause the same degree of inflammation, scarring, or tissue invasion.

How is it different from endometriosis?

Although both conditions involve tissue growing in places where it normally should not be, they are biologically distinct.

Endometriosis

  • Consists of tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium).
  • A key feature is chronic inflammation.
  • Often leads to scar tissue (adhesions).
  • Common symptoms include pelvic pain, painful periods, bowel symptoms, and infertility.
  • Lesions can invade surrounding tissues.

Endosalpingiosis

  • Consists of cells similar to the lining of the fallopian tubes.
  • Usually causes little or no inflammation.
  • Does not typically form the extensive scar tissue seen in endometriosis.
  • Is often discovered incidentally during surgery or pathology examination.
  • Has a weaker association with chronic pelvic pain and infertility than endometriosis.

Researchers have also identified differences in the microscopic appearance of the tissues (histology) and in the age groups most commonly affected. While endometriosis is usually diagnosed during the reproductive years, endosalpingiosis is more frequently identified in older, postmenopausal patients. [1,2]

Can endosalpingiosis cause symptoms?

This remains one of the biggest unanswered questions. Many people with endosalpingiosis have no symptoms, and the condition is discovered incidentally during surgery performed for another reason. Some studies suggest that it may sometimes be associated with:

  • Pelvic pain
  • Chronic pelvic discomfort
  • Infertility
  • Pelvic masses

However, researchers still debate whether endosalpingiosis directly causes these symptoms or whether it simply coexists with other conditions, particularly endometriosis. [4]

Can you have both conditions?

Yes. Endosalpingiosis and endometriosis frequently occur together. Studies report concurrent endometriosis in approximately 34.5% to 53.2% of patients with endosalpingiosis. [2,3] The two conditions share several similarities:

  • Both may arise through related biological processes that are still being investigated.
  • Both can occur within the pelvis and on the peritoneal surfaces surrounding the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and pouch of Douglas.
  • Both may be discovered during surgery for pelvic pain, infertility, or other gynecological conditions.

Because of this overlap, it can sometimes be difficult to determine which condition is contributing to symptoms. Some studies have observed that endosalpingiosis is more frequently found alongside gynecological cancers (that is, as a concurrent diagnosis), particularly with increasing age. Evidence suggests this association may be stronger than previously appreciated. However, these findings are largely based on retrospective data and do not establish a causal relationship. Based on current knowledge, endosalpingiosis remains a benign condition.

Why wasn't it seen before surgery?

Endosalpingiosis is rarely visible on ultrasound or MRI. It can also be difficult to distinguish from endometriosis during surgery based on appearance alone. For this reason, definitive diagnosis usually requires examination of the tissue under a microscope by a pathologist. This is why an accurate histological diagnosis is so important. Two lesions may appear similar during surgery but represent entirely different conditions when analyzed in the laboratory. [3]

Key takeaway

  • If you see “endosalpingiosis” on your surgical or pathology report, it means that cells resembling the lining of the fallopian tubes were found outside their usual location.
  • While it sounds similar to endometriosis, it is a distinct condition that generally causes less inflammation and scarring, but may still be symptomatic. It is often discovered incidentally and may not require specific treatment.
  • It remains an area of active research, with ongoing studies working to better understand why it happens, its clinical significance, and its association with other conditions.

Need support?

Reading unfamiliar words on a pathology report can be unsettling. Our peer mentors can help you prepare questions for your surgeon so you can get clear answers about what was found.

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Please note: This article is for educational purposes only and reflects patient advocacy and published research. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only your surgeon and pathologist can interpret your individual report — always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your results and treatment options.

References

  1. Prentice L, Stewart A, Mohiuddin S, Johnson NP. What is endosalpingiosis? Fertil Steril. 2012;98(4):942–947.
  2. Sunde J, Wasickanin M, Katz TA, Wickersham EL, Steed LL. Prevalence of endosalpingiosis and other benign gynecologic lesions. PLoS One. 2020;15(5):e0232487.
  3. Burla L, Kalaitzopoulos DR, Mrozek A, et al. Intraoperative appearance of endosalpingiosis: a single-center experience of laparoscopic findings and systematic review of literature. J Clin Med. 2022;11(23):7006.
  4. Ghaith S, et al. The association of endosalpingiosis with chronic pelvic pain. Minerva Obstet Gynecol. 2023.