Adenomyosis may coexist with fibroids

The traditional treatment for adenomyosis is hysterectomy

Adenomyosis which may coexist with fibroids is a condition in which cells from the lining of the womb (which sheds and bleeds during a period) are present on the muscle of the womb. It causes enlargement of the uterus, heavy periods and pain and tends to be progressive. It may affect fertility and it may also coexist with a condition called endometriosis where these womb lining cells are present in the peritoneal cavity. Adenomyosis usually presents over 35 years of age.

Treatment

The traditional treatment for adenomyosis is hysterectomy. Endometrial ablation or Mirena coil insertion may help in mild cases. embolization is being increasingly used to treat this condition.

embolization is not as effective as when used for treating fibroids. However one embolization will usually cure the condition in 50% of cases. In the rest symptoms may return and these patients may require further embolization treatment. embolization may also be combined with endometrial ablation or Mirena coil insertion.

Publications

Uterine Artery embolization for Symptomatic Adenomyosis - Midterm Results - Bratby MJ, Walker WJ - European Journal of Radiology - February 2008.
Midterm Results of UAE for Symptomatic Adenomyosis: Initial Experience - Pelage JP, Jacob D, Fazel A, Namur J, Laurent A, Rymer R, Le Dref O. - Radiology, March 2005; 234(3):948-953. Epub 2005 Jan 28.
Long Term Results of UAE for Symptomatic Adenomyosis - Kim MD, Kim S, Kim NK, Lee MH, Ahn EH, Kim HJ, Cho JH, Cha SH - Am J Roentgeonol 2007;188(1):176-181.
Uterine Artery embolization for Symptomatic Adenomyosis with or without Uterine Leiomyomas with the use of Calibrated Transacryl Gelatin Microspheres: Midterm Clinical and MR Imaging Follow-up - Lohle PNM, De Vries J, Klazen CAH, Boekkooi PF, Vervest HAM, Smeets AJ, Lampmann LEH, Kroencke TJ - J Vasc Interv Radiol 2007;18:835-841