26/09/2020
ADENOMYOSIS VERSUS FIBROIDS
Adenomyosis is a condition where endometrium like tissue grows into the muscle layer of uterus which causes heavy bleeding and painful periods or infertility. It can co-exist with endometriosis where endometrium like tissue grows outside the uterus.
Fibroids are the commonest benign tumours that grow in the wall of the uterus. Fibroids may be completely asymptomatic or they may present with pain, bleeding, infertility, lump or pressure symptoms.
WHAT IS ADENOMYOSIS AND ADENOMYOMA ?
Adenomyosis is diffuse thickeneing of the wall and when sometimes this thickening gets organised at a place in the mucular layer of uterus it is called as adneomyoma.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN ADENOMYOMA AND FIBROID?
Yes they are different in patho-physiology, presentation and technically speaking they are very different to handle during laparoscopic surgery.
Laparoscopic surgery for fibroids is called myomectomy and fibroid are tumours with well defined capsule and can be enucleated easily if expertise is available.
Conservative surgery for adenomyosis / adneomyoma is called LAPAROSCOPIC ADENOMYOMECTOMY. This is done for symptomatic young patients where uterus conservation is a priority. Technically a difficult surgery as there is no well defined capsule and its tissue is merged with muscle layer of uterus. It is not always possible to remove completely but actually debulking is done to reduce the bulk of adenomyosis and improve symptoms. Unlike endometriosis, Hysterectomy is the treatment for adenomyosis. Choice of treatment depends on patients age, symptoms, desire to conceive.
ADENOMYOSIS AND FIBROIDS CAN CO- EXIST ?
yes, it can co-exist and in several studies it found that adenomyosis and fibroids co-exist in 25-28% of women who underwent surgery either for adenomyosis or fiborids.