New test could diagnose nine in 10 endometriosis cases

A new technique; the Mitomic Endometriosis Test Real-Time PCR Kit would spare the need for keyhole surgery, reducing the diagnosis time from multiple years down to just a few days.

The test, which looks for tiny DNA fragments in the blood, was developed by MDNA Life Sciences, based on research conducted by experts at the University of Oxford.

Until now laparoscopy - where a camera is inserted into the pelvis - has been the most effective way to diagnose the problem, but the new test could provide relief for as many as 1.5 million British women who are thought to be affected.

Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus, the endometrium, grows outside your uterus. The disorder most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis, and if left untreated can cause subfertility and infertility.

Dr Christian Becker, from the Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health at the University of Oxford told the media: "Endometriosis not only causes enormous suffering to the affected women, but also brings a tremendous medical and economic burden to bear on society. There is a long lag phase between the onset and diagnosis of the disease, mainly due to its non-specific symptoms and because it can only be diagnosed invasively by laparoscopy.

"A specific, non-invasive test to aid diagnosis of endometriosis is certainly an unmet clinical need.

The initial price of the test is estimated at around £250, but with aims to be available on the NHS in the foreseeable future.

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