title: A case of sigmoid endometriosis difficult to differentiate from colon cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although endometriosis with sigmoid serosal involvement is not uncommon in women of childbearing age, the mucosal involvement is rare and differential diagnosis from colon cancer may be difficult due to the lack of pathognomonic symptoms and the poor diagnostic yield of colonoscopy and colonic biopsies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of a young woman with sigmoid endometriosis, in which the initial diagnostic workup suggested colon cancer. Histologic evidence, obtained from a second colonoscopy, along with pelvic ultrasound findings led to the final diagnosis of intestinal endometriosis which was confirmed by laparoscopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colonic endometriosis is often a diagnostic challenge and should be considered in young women with symptoms from the lower gastrointestinal tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Heraklion, Crete, Greece. fdimoul@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Philippos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dimoulios
authors.forename: Ioannis E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Koutroubakis
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tzardi
authors.forename: Pavlos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Antoniou
authors.forename: Ioannis M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Matalliotakis
authors.forename: Elias A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kouroumalis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology