A landmark scientific symposium hosted by the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA) in late May conveyed groundbreaking research on the disease. “Advancing the Art & Science of Endometriosis: Stem Cells to Radical Excision Surgery” was the Foundation’s inaugural medical conference, and the first symposium of its kind specifically dedicated to the disease to be held in the United States.
Endometriosis is a devastating reproductive disorder affecting nearly 176 million women and girls globally at a price tag of more than $22 billion annually. The illness, for which there is no absolute cure, is a leading cause of infertility, hysterectomy - many unnecessary - and chronic pelvic pain, and patients often go years without a diagnosis or effective treatment. The quality of life of those affected is greatly compromised, and increased research, funding and awareness are greatly needed to unlock the mysteries surrounding the enigmatic illness. The EFA is a non-profit organization founded by international celebrity and Top Chef host, Padma Lakshmi, and renowned gynecologic surgeon, Tamer Seckin, MD. It is the Foundation’s mission to increase endometriosis in the medical literacy and facilitate awareness with academia and individuals worldwide.
An expert consortium of faculty joined hundreds of attendees and media representatives from around the globe at the NY Academy of Sciences in New York City on May 20, 2010 to hear lectures from the world’s leading researchers, scientists and surgeons. The event was also webcast in real time by Domino Media, and will soon be made available for download by those who could not join in live.
Topic segments presented at the Symposium ranged from a unique three-dimensional rendering on disease pathogenesis by EFA President, Dr. Tamer Seckin, to an engaging lecture on proteomics, epigenetics and stem cell basics as they relate to endometriosis by renowned Yale scientist, Professor Hugh Taylor, MD. Pinar H. Kodaman, MD, Ph.D, also of Yale, presented an illuminating lecture on angiogenesis and the role of the endometrium in endometriosis development, a topic which has long been the subject of debate by researchers. The day’s agenda also included a provocative segment on controversies in laparoscopic surgery by celebrated surgical pioneer, Harry Reich, MD and a unique insight to the disease from star scientist Linda Griffith, Ph.D, co-founder of MIT’s Center for Gynepathology Research. Griffith, who rose to fame after helping to grow a human ear on the back of a mouse, herself suffers from endometriosis. She discussed the groundbreaking integration of systems biology and tissue engineering to bear an understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of the disease.
Challenges of disease management, ranging from infertility and treatment gaps to the difficulties associated with deep endometriosis, were also presented by Yale’s Taylor and internationally renowned laparoscopic surgeon and founding member of the Brazilian Society of OB/GYN in Infancy & Adolescence, Prof. Dr. med. Mauricio Abrao of Sao Paolo, Brazil. Advocate Lone Hummelshoj, the Chief Executive Officer of the World Endometriosis Research Foundation, Secretary General of the World Endometriosis Society and the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Endometriosis.org, shared new data and critical updates on the vast personal, financial and social impacts of the disease from her recent landmark studies.
The most commanding lectures came from Louise A. Brinton, Ph.D, MPH, the Chief of the Hormonal & Reproductive Epidemiology Branch and Senior Investigator at the National Institutes of Health NIH Cancer Institute and Farr Nezhat, MD, FACOG, FACS, Chief of Gynecologic Minimally Invasive Surgery & Robotics and a Gynecologic Oncologist with St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals in NYC. Drs. Brinton and Nezhat presented updates on the controversial relationship between endometriosis and cancer risk, demonstrating how the malignant potential of endometriosis holds serious implications for management, such as the need for earlier and more meticulous surgical intervention for complete disease treatment.
Dr. Camran Nezhat, another of the celebrated Nezhat trio, gave attendees a detailed review of his journey perfecting endometriosis surgery. Nezhat, along with his brothers Farr and Ceana (not in attendance), is universally recognized as an international leader in the field of minimally invasive surgery. Together, the three have pioneered the development of many laparoscopic procedures in the disciplines of gynecology, urology and general surgery.
The most compelling presentation came when EFA Co-Founder and widely heralded endometriosis advocate Padma Lakshmi took the podium to share her story. Known internationally as a successful supermodel, author, jewelry designer, Emmy-nominated actress and television personality, Lakshmi went public with her own battle with endometriosis after suffering for more than twenty years. She became a new mom in 2010 after receiving successful treatment and is a globally recognized champion for the cause, advocating early intervention and raising worldwide awareness in the hopes that others will not have to suffer as she has.
The day’s proceedings were moderated by leading researchers and experts, including Michael Divon, MD, Chairman of OB/GYN at Lenox Hill Hospital; Professor Keith Isaacson, MD of Harvard Medical School, the Center for Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and the Center for Gynepathology Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Michael Strongin, MD of Lenox Hill Hospital and SUNY Downstate Medical Center; Tanmoy Mukherjee, MD of Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York and Mount Sinai Division of Reproductive Endocrinology; the renowned Gynecologic Oncology surgeon and scientist, Elizabeth Poyner, MD; Joel Batzofin, MD, the Founder & Medical Director of Batzofin Fertility Services; and Deputy Health Editor, Wendy Naugle, of Glamour Magazine.
Sponsored in part by Abbott Corporation, the Endometriosis Research Center, Lumenis Surgical, Lenox Hill Radiology, Juneau Bioscience and endometriosis.org, the EFA’s landmark, multi-disciplinary symposium indeed served as the genesis for advancement on issues relative to the disease. It is the Foundation’s intention to host such an academic and scientific event annually. For updates, visit http://www.endofound.org/medicalconference. The event was managed by Affairs Event Services and presided over by EFA President, Tamer Seckin, MD.
“Advancing the Art & Science of Endometriosis” was followed later the same evening by the EFA’s second annual Blossom Ball, a gala fundraising affair held at the prestigious New York Public Library. Hosted by Dr. Seckin and Ms. Lakshmi, emceed by television personality Heather McDonald and co-chaired by Glamour magazine Editor-in-chief Cindi Leive, Wolfensohn & Co. Managing Director Diana Taylor, MPH, and Eileen Guggenheim, PhD, Chairman of the Board of the New York Academy of Art, the red carpet event received widespread media acclaim and was attended by hundreds of celebrities and influential professionals. See http://www.BlossomBall.com for further details.
For more information on the Endometriosis Foundation of America, visit http://www.endofound.org.
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