Overview
It is estimated that endometriosis affects over 6 million women and teens in the US and another 75 million women worldwide. Endometriosis is the third leading cause of gynecologic hospitalization in the US and accounts for approximately 20% of hysterectomies performed in the US annually. The World Symposium on Endometriosis strives to provide knowledge and strategies for early detection of endometriosis and inform participants on recent advances in the treatment of endometriosis.
In addition, women with a history of endometriosis are also at a significantly increased risk of developing several types of gynecologic cancers, and women with both conditions often encounter fertility issues. With Oncofertility topics integrated into the curriculum, the goal of this symposium is also to present current research and practice on oncology and reproduction, a vital field that has expanded options for the reproductive futures of cancer survivors.
WSE Highlights
- Interactive lectures by world leaders in endometriosis, oncology and reproduction
- Live surgery transmissions
- Debate on key topics
- Five Keynote Lectures
- Poster and video abstract presentations
WSE 2014 Committees and Faculty
Symposium Chair
Ceana Nezhat, MD
United States
Dr. Ceana Nezhat is a leading pioneer in the field of laparoscopic surgery, specializing in laparoscopic treatment of severe and multi-organ endometriosis, laparoscopic management of infertility, and previously urology and pelvic reconstruction. He has been instrumental in modifying established procedures performed by laparotomy to laparoscopy with similar or improved outcomes.
Dr. Nezhat has a special interest in the area of endometriosis and is an advocate of early detection and treatment. He has treated thousands of women with endometriosis. Currently, he is working to increase awareness of this disorder by educating those in primary roles in the lives of young women, including gynecologists and family practitioners, on the signs and symptoms of endometriosis to promote early detection.
Scientific Committee Chairs
Camran Nezhat, MD | Benedict Benigno, MD |
Farr Nezhat, MD | Teresa Woodruff, PhD |
National Scientific Committee
Serdar Bulun, MD | Anthony Luciano, MD, |
Shannon Hawkins, MD, PhD | Resad Paya Pasic, MD, PhD |
Grace Janik, MD |
International Scientific Committee
Michel Canis, MD | Daniel Seidman, MD, MCSc |
Jacques Donnez, MD, PhD | Togas Tulandi, MD, MHCM |
Victor Gomel, MD | Cihat Unlu, MD |
Hananel Holzer, MD | Errico Zupi, MD |
Local Organizing Committee
Colleen Austin, MD | Cheryl Jones, MD |
Vicki Barnett, RN, MSN, CNOR | Patti Owen, RN, MN |
Margarett Ellison, MD, MHA | Sahar Rosenbaum, MD |
Ira Horowitz, MD |
Keynote Speakers
Victor Gomel, MD
University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC (Canada)
Clarisa Gracia, MD
University of Pennsylvania
Camran Nezhat, MD
Stanford University Medical Center
Farr Nezhat, MD
St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals;
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Richard Satava, MD
University of Washington
Faculty – United States
Wayne Ambroze, MD Georgia Colon & Rectal Surgical Associates Colleen Austin, MD Vicki Barnett, RN, MSN, CNOR Benedict Benigno, MD Lisa Campo-Engelstein, Ph.D. Susheel Dua, MD Margarett Ellison, MD, MHA Robin Fogle, MD Norbert Gleicher, MD Alan Gordon, MD Clarisa Gracia, MD Linda Griffith, PhD Avner Hershlag, MD Ira Horowitz, MD Keith Isaacson, MD Grace Janik, MD Cheryl Jones, MD Carolyn Kaplan, MD Jason Levy, MD |
Anthony Luciano, MD Hospital of Central Connecticut Dan C. Martin, MD Charles Miller, MD Scott Miller, MD Camran Nezhat, MD Ceana Nezhat, MD Farr Nezhat, MD Patti Owen, RN, MN Steven Palter, MD Mary Ellen Pavone, MD Resad Paya Pasic, MD, PhD Mark Perloe, MD Carla Roberts, MD, PhD Sahar Rosenbaum, MD Richard Satava, MD Gerald Schatten, PhD Susan Sommers Andrew Toledo, MD Jim Toner, MD, PhD Hamilton Williams, MD |
Faculty – International
Michel Canis, MD CHU de Clermont Ferrand CHU Estaing (France) Jacques Donnez, MD, PhD Victor Gomel, MD Hananel Holzer, MD Rudy Leon de Wilde, MD, PhD Marco Pinho de Oliveira, MD, PhD George Pistofidis, MB.BS Hafeez Rahman, MD, Dip NB |
Horace Roman, MD, PhD Rouen University Hospital (France) Daniel Seidman, MD, MCSc Fatih Sendag, MD Togas Tulandi, MD, MHCM Cihat Unlu, MD Dr. Attila Vereczkey, MD, MA Arnaud Wattiez, MD Errico Zupi, MD |
Target Audience
This program is designed to meet the educational needs of physicians with an interest in endometriosis and oncofertility such as gynecologists, obstetricians, oncologists, primary care physicians, pediatricians, general surgeons, gastroenterologists and urologists. Fellows, nurses, physician assistants, researchers and scientists in the field of endometriosis are also encouraged to attend.
Educational Objectives
- Identify patient symptoms related to endometriosis and improve early detection of the disease.
- Review recent research for diagnosing and treating endometriosis, including the functional roles of microRNAs relative to the pathophysiology of uterine function and dysfunction aromatase inhibitors as well as medical and surgical treatments.
- Integrate advancements and diagnostic tools to identify and manage endometriosis.
- Analyze the role of robotic surgery for the treatment of infertility.
- Evaluate strategies to preserve ovaries and apply the concept of ovary and uterine transplantations.
Symposium Support
This symposium is supported, in part, by Northside Hospital and Northside Hospital Cancer Institute. WSE ensures that its sessions are educational and meet the needs of the target audience.
Content Development
The Symposium Chair, Dr. Ceana Nezhat, and Northside Hospital staff created organizational and scientific committees to assist in educational content development and content oversight for live cases, educational sessions and abstract and video presentations. These sessions were developed without influence from commercial supporters.
Language
The official language of the symposium is English. There will be no simultaneous translation.
Dress Code
The dress code at WSE 2014 is business casual.
Northside Hospital
Northside is Atlanta’s premier hospital for women’s health and a leader in providing state-of-the-art surgical services. The hospital offers a full scope of gynecologic services, including specialized surgery for women. More cases of endometriosis are treated by operative laparoscopy and robotics at Northside Hospital than at any other hospital in Georgia and the hospital ranks in the top 5 percent of U.S. hospitals for gynecologic robotic procedures. Many surgeons on staff are pioneers in laparoscopic surgery and are nationally recognized for their expertise in this minimally invasive technique.
Northside Hospital Cancer Institute
As a National Cancer Institute Community Care Center, Northside is one of the largest and most respected comprehensive cancer treatment centers in the Southeast. More breast, gynecologic and prostrate cancers are diagnosed and treated at Northside that at any other hospital in Georgia, and we have the best survival outcomes of any hospital in the nation for bone marrow transplants.