September - November 2011

What a long strange trip it has been

Twenty-five years have elapsed searching for hours through the since the first World Congress on heavy volumes of the yearly (WCE) was held in Index Medicus in order to find Clermont-Ferrand in 1986. citations of interest for our research. Professor Maurice Bruhat, a visionary leader who left an Professor Michel Canis shared indelible mark in , this with us, at the opening developed one of his great ideas: ceremony of the 11th World A/Professor Paolo Vercellini WES President bringing together the most Congress on Endometriosis authoritative experts in the (WCE2011), because his PhD Indeed, strenuous research field of endometriosis with the thesis – with 325 citations – efforts and an enormous amount objective of sharing the best formed the basis for that very of findings have now clarified available scientific evidence on first world congress in 1986. several aspects of the a disease that was not under A lot of water has gone under the pathogenesis of endometriosis the spotlight as much as today. bridge since that congress! and defined the effect of At that time, the internet was yet treatment options in different However, if you were lucky to come and another ten years clinical conditions. enough to have access to the very had to pass before PubMed first scientific programme, you The world congresses that became available. Those who would be surprised how several followed always brought now have grey hair, or no more topics that were addressed in milestones in our hair at all, can remember 1986 are still actual today: understanding and Classification and Diagnosis, management of the disease. Inside this eJournal Physiopathology of sterility, To give you a few examples, the 1 President’s message Peritoneal fluid, Surgical results of the two published 3 Upcoming meetings treatment, IVF, and palliative randomised, controlled trials 4 A word from the editor treatments. 5 Highlights from WCE2011 (RCTs) on laparoscopic surgery 8 In memoriam: Carl Wood So, nothing new under the sun? for were presented at 12

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world congresses, as were the President, and Lone findings of another two RCTs on Hummelshoj, our Secretary the effect of surgery for General, deserve most of the endometriosis-associated pelvic credit for having organised Paolo Vercellini President pain, as well as the results of such an unsurpassed success. several studies on new Linda Giudice During some sessions the rooms medications. President Elect were so full that people had to

Neil Johnson These trials still constitute stand up because no more seats Vice President unequalled therapeutic were available. This was exciting references. for presenters and moderators Hans Evers Past President and puts a further responsibility WCEs have witnessed the advent on the organisers of future Ludwig Kiesel of the “omics” era, and the seeds of Treasurer meetings. novel genetic and molecular Robert Taylor research has been disseminated Montpellier’s motto was Hon Secretary meeting after meeting. But over “Towards Excellence”, and we

Luk Rombauts and above all the data presented: know that you will not settle for eJournal Editor WCEs have always been the best anything less. Be assured that

Mauricio Abrao place to discuss, confront, we will do our best to meet your WCE2014 President develop ideas, pick-up expectations at our future suggestions, and learn more. congresses. Bernard Hedon WCE2011 President In January 2012 a list of Indeed, even after all these years, Vibeke Amelung potential topics for the 12th the interest in endometriosis Paramedic Representative World Congress on seems to be still increasing, and at Hilary Critchley Endometriosis (WCE2014) in WCE2011 in Montpellier it turned Representative São Paulo, Brazil, will be into enthusiasm! Nearly 1,300 Sun-Wei Guo presented on the WES website delegates from 73 countries Representative (www.endometriosis.ca). attended the meeting: the highest Members of the World Alan Lam number ever in the history of Representative Endometriosis Society will be WCEs. invited to participate in an Rishma Pai Representative Bernard Hedon, WCE2011 online vote to select the most President and Hervè Dechaud interesting scientific topics, and Kathy Sharpe-Timms WCE2011 Programme Director, your preferences will be taken Representative as well as Hans Evers, our Past into account when the scientific 12

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programme is developed. This is If you are serious about Join the WES today and an exciting “experiment” as well endometriosis it is “an offer as an organisational challenge – you can’t refuse”. Among the let’s all contribute to the but the congresses are a success other benefits, you now will field of endometriosis – only if we all contribute! have the possibility of tailoring and develop the next the next meeting to your needs world congress together! With the objective of and interests. maintaining a lot of contact between you and the WES, the We all enjoyed Montpellier: now Executive Board has decided to let’s walk the road to São Paulo €50 offer a 3-year membership at an together. Keep in touch and exceptionally reduced fee of €50 become the WES people! www.endometriosis.ca/membership

for those who subscribe before Join before 31 December 2011 to Paolo Vercellini take advantage of this 3-year offer! 31 December 2011. WES President

Upcoming meetings

SGI 2012 59th Annual Scientific Meeting Best Practices of ASRM and ESHRE 21 – 24 March 2012 1 – 3 March 2012 San Diego, USA Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Third Annual Scientific-Surgical Endometriosis The 1st Biomarker Meeting in Reproductive Symposium : Emergence of a new field 15 – 17 March 2012 30 – 31 March 2012 New York, USA Valencia, Spain

28th Annual Meeting of ESHRE XX FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and 1 – 4 July 2012 Istanbul, Turkey 7 – 12 October 2012 Rome, Italy 68th Annual Meeting of the ASRM 20 – 24 October 2012 Ø Full congress schedule San Diego, USA World Endometriosis Society eJournal Volume 13 No 4, 2011 | Page 4

A word from the editor: Mission accomplished!

I confess that the eJournal had dinner venue was absolutely greatly whipped up the fascinating! anticipation towards the World Congress of Endometriosis But above all, we should (WCE) 2011 over the past three express our gratitude to you: years. And although the south of Thanks for being there and France in early September was making it the success it was! always going to be a significant draw card, things can go pear- Thanks for sharing your A/Professor Luk Rombauts WES eJournal Editor shaped very quickly for the local research with us! organisers: Thanks for participating in WCE2014 there is no excuse not WCE 2002 in San Diego was still question time and stirring the to take up the offer, which reeling from the 9/11 attacks, debate! expires at the end of the year. now just over a decade ago. This year, the current economic Without you, all of Bernard's For WCE 2014, Mauricio Abrao uncertainty around the world, efforts would have counted for acknowledged he has big shoes cyclones in New York and naught. Ultimately, it is you who to fill. typhoons in Japan certainly has made it a success. As He has already assembled an would have made Bernard Bernard concluded during the excellent team in Sao Paolo and Hedon, the conference convener, closing ceremony: "You are a little nervous. happy, so I am happy". he obviously has the full support of the WES board. Nevertheless, it was a great Because you ARE the society, The second President's success! The largest turn-out Paolo Vercellini has announced initiative will now allow active ever for the World Congress of three new exciting initiatives in Endometriosis! Bernard Hedon, his first contribution to the members to have real input in the next WCE programme. Lone Hummelshoj and many eJournal as President. others made sure the local team The first one is to offer you a Further details will be put up a flawless conference. three-year subscription rate announced in the next edition of the eJournal, but as a WES Bernard even managed to you can't refuse (see page 3). member you will be able to vote appease the weather gods, not We know you show up for the for your preferred topics. just for the duration of the meetings, but we want to hear conference but also for the next your heart beat in the lead up Should there be telecast five days so I could complete my too. surgery? Perhaps more on Pyrenean cycling climbs in style imaging or genetics? You will be (thanks Bernard). We need to grow the society by able to let us know. having an active membership. The programme was excellent The third President's initiative thanks to the significant input Given that you will easily recoup is to give you more input in the from Hervé Dechaud, and the the membership fee through eJournal itself. guided tour at the conference reduced registration fees for World Endometriosis Society eJournal Volume 13 No 4, 2011 | Page 5

Montpellier was a wonderful announcements of regional positions. The eJournal is there forum for the unedited exchange activities and relevant for you. of ideas and views. conference reports. As the editor for another three We didn't always agree, but such We will continue with our book years, I would like to paraphrase is the nature of progress. This reviews, so let us know if we Bernard's words: "If you are discussion should continue and have missed a freshly printed happy, then I am happy". there is no better place than the tome. eJournal to have it. Let's make this eJournal better You may also use the eJournal as together. We would very much welcome a bulletin board where you can opinion pieces, but also freely look for or offer job Luk Rombauts WES eJournal Editor

Highlights from the 11th World Congress on Endometriosis

WCE2011 was the largest world congress on endometriosis ever. Just short of 1,300 delegates – 1,294 to be precise! – from 73 countries gathered in Montpellier in early September. Of 517 submitted abstracts, 102 were accepted for oral presentations and 374 for posters. It was three busy days!

Highlights can be found on our website:

Ø WES honours 11 pioneers in endometriosis at the opening ceremony Ø Rodolphe Maheux Award presented to Sawsan As-Sanie Ø Highlights of WCE2011 as presented at the closing ceremony

However, in addition to those summaries, we have asked the four winners of the Rodolphe Maheux Travel Grant to give us their perspective on the highlights from WCE2011:

Don’t lose sight of the reasons for research

processing the information. the most highly respected Narrowing it down to three endometriosis researchers was highlights has been a challenge in itself exciting, being able to but here goes: formally contribute to the programme by speaking about Participating in the brilliant pre- angiogenesis and congress international lymphangiogenesis in Dr Alison Hey-Cunningham consensus workshop to University of Sydney, Australia endometriosis at the invitation determine research priorities for of Professor Felice Petraglia was Thank you WES for making it endometriosis organised by a real honour. possible for me to attend Professor Peter Rogers and Lone WCE2011! It really was an Hummelshoj. While the My boss, Professor Ian Fraser amazing week and I am still opportunity to attend along with being honoured as one of the World Endometriosis Society eJournal Volume 13 No 4, 2011 | Page 6

eleven WCE pioneers in the field There were a number of talks I the reason for, and end goal of, of endometriosis research “for particularly enjoyed for this our research – the patients, and his work in supervising a reason but to mention just a few: this patient focus, can only be a credible attack on the holy grail Dr Krina Zondervan speaking good thing for our research of the non-invasive diagnosis of about the impact of community! endometriosis through work on endometriosis; Dr Aisha de nerve fibres and pain” at Graaff about key epidemiological I am excited to continue with the WCE2008 in . What a issues; Ms Deborah Bush about fascinating challenge of thrill to see his and the group's early intervention; and Ms endometriosis research, hope to hard work recognised in that Melissa Parker about make some interesting way! comprehensive screening in a contributions and look forward dedicated centre. to WCE2014. A real patient focus in terms of patient experience, care, and Sometimes I think we scientists Alison Hey-Cunningham University of Sydney education. can be guilty of losing sight of

Translational research must move forward

manage endometriosis, meet However, the clinical utility of peers in the field, make new these biomarkers will depend on contacts for the future well-designed discovery and collaboration, and in general, validation studies. New interact with leading breakthrough will need professionals doing research in innovative technology and a

Dr Mutinda Kayama the field. multidisciplinary approach. Also Institute of Primate Research, Kenya the renewed interest in the I listened to excellent lectures vitality and use of classification My interest to attend the 11th throughout the meeting but I systems of endometriosis may World Congress on appreciated the following three lead to novel classification Endometriosis (WCE2011) in lectures: systems that will be clinically Montpellier, France stems from 1) Is endometriosis a pre- useful, especially for pelvic pain a deep philosophical neoplastic condition? by Sun- associated with endometriosis. commitment to be part of a Wei Guo; global team with a unique vision 2) Micro-RNA regulated As a result of attending and a common goal of reducing pathways in endometriosis by WCE2011, my focus still is to the morbidity, suffering and Maria Ohlsson-Teague; study the aetio-pathogenesis of disability caused by 3) Impact and predictability of endometriosis, especially the endometriosis among women of endometriosis by Krina search for new biomarkers for reproductive age. Zondervan. early diagnosis or novel therapeutic targets and also to My overall take-home message WCE2011 was the ideal place to participate in an awareness from the meeting was that the find out the hot topics in the campaign of endometriosis in goal of translational research in field, listen to gurus in the field Kenya. endometriosis is to take of endometriosis as they debate biomarkers discovered at the Mutinda Kayama and discuss on the best way to bench to bedside application. Institute of Primate Research World Endometriosis Society eJournal Volume 13 No 4, 2011 | Page 7

Early awareness and an integrated approach is key

with diverse healthcare As well as this progress in professionals working with endometriosis management, endometriosis sufferers to many groups have made good facilitate better management. It progress in understanding the was particularly encouraging to altered endometrial hear from people around the environment in endometriosis. Dr Katie May world that this type of clinic is University of Oxford, United Kingdom starting to become a reality. This will help us to understand both the process of disease This was the first WCE that I Hopefully these clinics will start development, and the potential have attended, and it was to become the ‘norm’ for impact of endometriosis on exciting to be part of a congress managing endometriosis fertility. where so many people shared an everywhere. interest in this complex and However, for me, perhaps the debilitating disorder. To hear from Deborah Bush best part of the congress was the about the ME programme, integration between so many It was very motivating to see where school children are being people approaching the just how many groups are taught about endometriosis, was challenges of endometriosis making progress in such varied especially interesting. The lack from different perspectives. aspects of endometriosis of awareness of endometriosis research. in the wider community makes it It was great to see the hard for people to understand interactions between clinicians One of the biggest highlights for how common and significant the and basic scientists that me was the discussion around disorder is. facilitate fantastic research, improving awareness of the along with women from patient condition, and management of If school programmes were groups to highlight the real the disease with a more patient more widely implemented problems faced by centred approach. hopefully women would have endometriosis sufferers. rapid access to the highest It was superb to hear from quality care, as well as greater Hanne Vedsted Hansen about understanding of the condition. Katie May her ideas of a focussed clinic University of Oxford

Exchange of experience is everything

Thank you to WES for for the infertile woman with supporting me in getting to this endometriosis or not, still leaves beautiful meeting. many unanswered questions – but we must continue this The debates on recurrence, the exchange and dialogue in an right time of surgery (and which international setting. techniques for DIE and/or Dr Qing Xue endometriomas), and whether Qinq Xue First Hospital of Peking University, China surgery or IVF is the best way Peking University World Endometriosis Society eJournal Volume 13 No 4, 2011 | Page 8

In Memoriam: Carl Wood

Carl Wood has died at the age of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at

82. Internationally Carl was best the Queen Hospital in known for his work of Melbourne in 1964. This developing and commercialising hospital later transferred to the techniques of IVF. In Australia at in the 70s he was a leader of the . He movement towards better delivered the Blair Bell Lecture management of women’s health at the RCOG in the same year. issues and in particular . He achieved Although all who knew him Professor Carl Wood 1929 - 2011 international acclaim for his were quick to recognise his humility and unassuming pioneering work in foetal surgical procedures in the early nature, many were unaware of physionalogy, foetal monitoring, 90s in Australia. He took a keen his finest achievements. These birth control, and IVF. interest in women with included the first clinical IVF endometriosis and co-founded For these achievements he was pregnancy in 1973, the first IVF the Endometriosis Care Centre awarded the Axel Munthe Award baby from a frozen embryo in of Australia in 1997. in Reproductive Science in 1988. 1983, the first IVF baby from He was honoured by Her donor egg in 1983, the first baby He was appointed a Companion Majesty the Queen with the from sperm retrieval from failed of the Order of Australia in 1995 award of Commander of the vasectomy reversal in 1986, and for his services to women’s British Empire (CBE) in 1982. the first micro-injection intra- health and a pioneer in IVF. He fallopian transfer (MIFT) baby in was a life member of the ISGE Carl was educated at Wesley 1992. (also president 1999-2000), the College Melbourne, graduating AAGL, the AFS, and the in medicine with first class He and his team from Monash Australian Society of honours at Melbourne IVF have been instrumental in Reproductive Biology. Monash University in 1952. He obtained the use of pharmaceutical University Department of membership to the Royal College hormone stimulation of ovaries, Obstetrics and Gynaecology have of Obstetricians and which transformed IVF from an established the Carl Wood Chair. Gynaecologists (RCOG) and experimental technique to a Fellowship of the Royal College successful clinical and He was an internationally of Surgeons in London in 1958. commercial treatment. invited speaker on more than 90 He was a research assistant at occasions, wrote 23 books, 59 His ever-inquiring mind was the Rockefeller Institute in New book chapters, and over 400 again stimulated by advances in York before becoming a senior papers. He is considered one of endoscopic gynaecological lecturer in Obstetrics and the great medical doctors of surgery in the late 80s. Gynaecology at Queen modern times in Australia. Charlotte’s in Chelsea Hospital in He visited with his friend, the Vale Carl! London. late Professor Kurt Semm, and together with members of the Carl was appointed as a Peter Maher Melbourne Gynoscopy Group co- foundation professor and Monash University chairman of the Department of pioneered many laparoscopic