HIFU – Bloodless Triumph Over Fibroids

Fibroids are non-malignant uterine tumors that are noted in 25% of women in their fertile age. Several women having fibroids are asymptomatic; however, their proliferation leads to major problems like heavy menstrual bleeding, abdominal pain and discomfort, altered bowel and bladder control, abdominal lumps and in certain situations leading to sterility. When they grow to a large extent or become symptomatic, the fibroids need to be removed by surgical intervention. HIFU or High Intensity Focused Ultrasound is the only top-of-the-line, non-invasive treatment for fibroids. Ultrasound waves comprising of high frequency sound waves inaudible to the human ear are focused on the offending tissue that heats it up, much alike the operation of a magnifying glass. Employing this principle, well-focused  [...]

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a medical condition in women caused due to hormonal unbalance leading to difficulties in menstruation and conception. The ovaries produce human eggs or ovules on a monthly basis. A mature ova is passed via a follicle into the uterus by the ovaries. However, in the case of PCOS there is an abnormal development of at least twelve or more follicles in the ovaries. These follicles are also known as cysts, hence disease has been named Poly(many) Cystic(follicles) Ovary Syndrome. In women with PCOS, the cysts in the ovary are fluid-inundated sacs and wholly benign, however grave complications could arise if it is left untreated. In PCOS, there are several under-developed follicles in the ovaries. The eggs present in these follicles do not attain maturity hence their  [...]

OVA1 Ovarian Cancer Blood Test Gets FDA Approval

The recent ovarian cancer blood test known as OVA1 received the FDA’s stamp of consent that could aid in detecting ovarian cancer present in the pelvic mass which is previously identified to entail surgery. During a news broadcast, the FDA stated that this test would be beneficial for both patients and their doctors in choosing who would perform and what would be the form of surgery that needs to be undertaken. However, the OVA1 test is not meant for screening of ovarian cancer and should not be employed for specific ovarian cancer detection. The FDA stated that the OVA1 test recognizes those set of women that would gain from referral to a gynaecological oncologist for their surgery to be performed in spite of scientific and radiological tests giving negative outcome for ovarian cancer.  [...]

Decoding Vital Inklings To Ovarian Cancer – Part II

Women that whinge about feeling bloated are most often put through a physical examination by their doctors, and probably recommended to go in for a CA-125 blood screening test. The CA-125 test is employed to measure the protein detected in the blood stream of several women that have ovarian cancer. Alternately, a trans-vaginal ultrasound is done to scan the uterus. The American Cancer Society has stated that regular blood screening using the CA-125 and the trans-vaginal ultrasound scanning is normally not undertaken in the common populace. These screening procedures for ovarian cancer detection were not advised even by the American Cancer Society or several other medical establishments. However, these screening procedures are mostly recommended to those women that were in the high risk bracket,  [...]

Decoding Vital Inklings To Ovarian Cancer – Part I

In accordance with a latest study conducted in the U.K., a set of symptoms have repeatedly been brought to the notice of the doctors that are linked with ovarian cancer, thus shattering the notion that professes that the lethal cancer is a hushed destroyer that display hardly any signs till the final stages. A senior lecturer at the University of Bristol, Mr. William Hamilton, M.D. whose research is available online in BMJ.com has stated that contrary to the saying, ovarian cancer is in no way a silent disease, rather it is quite strident. The problem is that many are not adept enough to interpret that sound. Hamilton states that ovarian cancer has accounted for four percent of the entire cancers found in women, but regrettably has the worst possible diagnosis in comparison to all gynaecologic  [...]

Cervix Removal Or Retaining During Hysterectomy – A Surgical Conundrum – Part II

There has been a rising trend of sway towards the subtotal or supracervical hysterectomy (STH) approach noticed especially in the certain European countries. The cervix retaining or sparing approach is beyond doubt, deemed technically uncomplicated and safer surgery in comparison to the total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). The reason being this approach averts the requirement to dissect through the vastly vascular para-vaginal cuff in close quarters to the ureter. The procedure is entirely an intra-peritoneal one and evades contact between the potentially contaminated vagina and abdominal cavity. There have been persistent suggestions that there direct outcomes of the approach are related with the clinical advantages. A latest review has suggested that has been a greater inclination towards  [...]

Cervix Removal Or Retaining During Hysterectomy – A Surgical Conundrum – Part I

Must the cervix be done away with as a regular practise of Hysterectomy in cases of benign disease? This surgical riddle has since long been a part of the incessant discussions in the field of gynaecology. The puzzlement is accentuated in the terms employed in that matter. A majority of gynaecologists utilize the expression ‘subtotal hysterectomy’ (STH) with inference of an unsatisfactory or unfinished procedure, while several others use the terminology ‘supracervical hysterectomy’ with its suggestions of being a better and enhanced technique. The subtotal or supracervical hysterectomy approach has adeptly garnered phases of recognition with varying benefits and downsides being regularly brought to light by both supporters and challengers. Even the highly eminent gynaecological laparoscopists  [...]

GnRH-a Therapy: An Effectual Endometriosis Treatment – Part II

GnRH-a treatment for endometriosis has side effects that mimic menopausal symptoms caused due to reduced estrogen levels. However, the side effects end once the course of the GnRH-a treatment is completed. The side effects that are experienced comprise of: Increased bone loss of close to one percent every month that would to some extent is repealed by additionally consuming low-estrogen dosages. A majority of women reverted to the pre-therapy bone density subsequent to halting the GnRH-a treatment. Since the therapy is intended to arrest menses, if one still gets normal menses during the therapy period, then one’s doctor must be promptly informed about it. Some women suddenly experience feelings of quite high body heat accompanied by intense perspiration, with redness in the area  [...]

GnRH-a Therapy: An Effectual Endometriosis Treatment – Part I

GnRH-a , also known as the booster of the Gonadotrophin releasing hormone, is a therapy extensively employed to stunt endometriosis that are embedded in the uterus, that immensely aids in alleviating associated pain. GnRH-a treatment is widely followed as a next line of treatment subsequent to unproductive outcome of many months of birth-control pill treatment. GnRH-a therapy is occasionally engaged prior to surgical intervention to assist in easier elimination of endometrial engrafts and also aids in decreasing the scar tissue formation caused due to surgery. Though, GnRH-a therapy is not employed for treatment of sterility, it could be employed prior to in-vitro fertilization or IVF. Quite similar to other hormone treatments and surgery done for treating endometriosis, GnRH-a treatment  [...]

Non-Scarring Belly Button Hysterectomy

Lately, a path-breaking technique was employed by surgeons in Europe during a hysterectomy procedure that was conducted with a mere slit in the belly button area of the woman. The foremost form of hysterectomy method carried out by the proficient panel of surgeons headed by Doctor Thomas Ind, is also called single incision laparoscopic surgery. This is the newest advancement in the field of knothole surgery wherein the device fitted with a mini-camera is introduced through the navel, with the aid of which the surgeons could manipulate the procedure within, by watching the live streaming on a television monitor. Hysterectomy, a common surgical procedure on women that entails the removal of the uterus or the womb is opted due to various maladies like the presence of uterine fibroids or  [...]