Development in treatment of fibroids could save women from surgery
A one-a-day tablet could ease the fear of hysterectomy and offer the hope of starting a family to thousands of young women blighted by a painful, fertility limiting womb condition. The new development in the treatment of fibroids – non-cancerous blood-filled lumps that grow in or around the uterus – could save them from ever needing surgery.
The drug, Esmya, was approved in 2012 for use to shrink fibroids before surgery to remove them. But a watershed ruling by the European Commission, which follows stunning clinical trial results, means sufferers can now be prescribed Esmya long-term, whether they go on to have surgery or not.Gynaecologists believe it could transform the way uterine fibroids are treated.
Around 40 in every 100 women develop fibroids at some time in their life, most often aged between 30 and 50. Many don’t know they have fibroids until they have a routine gynaecological examination, but for others symptoms may be debilitating – including heavy, long and painful periods, bleeding between periods, a feeling of ‘fullness’ in the lower part of the stomach, pain or discomfort during intercourse, fertility problems and miscarriage.
In some cases growths can be so large they press on nearby organs, such as the bladder, bowel or kidney, causing further complications.The cause of fibroids isn’t known, though they are more common in women who haven’t had children. If symptoms can’t be controlled with medication, fibroids can be removed by keyhole surgery.
The drug, Esmya, was approved in 2012 for use to shrink fibroids before surgery to remove them. But a watershed ruling by the European Commission, which follows stunning clinical trial results, means sufferers can now be prescribed Esmya long-term, whether they go on to have surgery or not.Gynaecologists believe it could transform the way uterine fibroids are treated.
Around 40 in every 100 women develop fibroids at some time in their life, most often aged between 30 and 50. Many don’t know they have fibroids until they have a routine gynaecological examination, but for others symptoms may be debilitating – including heavy, long and painful periods, bleeding between periods, a feeling of ‘fullness’ in the lower part of the stomach, pain or discomfort during intercourse, fertility problems and miscarriage.
In some cases growths can be so large they press on nearby organs, such as the bladder, bowel or kidney, causing further complications.The cause of fibroids isn’t known, though they are more common in women who haven’t had children. If symptoms can’t be controlled with medication, fibroids can be removed by keyhole surgery.
Women with large fibroids may undergo a uterine artery embolisation, in which a radiologist blocks the blood vessels that supply the fibroids, causing them to shrink. In the most severe cases a myomectomy – open surgery to remove the fibroids followed by reconstruction of the uterus – or a hysterectomy – complete removal of the uterus – may be carried out. Martin Powell, a consultant gynaecologist at the Nottingham Treatment Centre, said: ‘Prescribing Esmya for long-term control of fibroids gives women a choice. ‘Finally we have a viable treatment that can shrink their fibroids and reduce the bleeding, rather than having to undergo major surgery.It is particularly significant for those women who want children and therefore wish to avoid surgery that could damage their fertility or, in the case of a hysterectomy, prevent them being able to start a family.
Nitu Bajekal, a consultant gynaecologist at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust in Hampstead and co-founder of Women For Women’s Health UK, says by not having surgery, patients are avoiding the risk of damage to nearby organs, infections and the need for blood transfusion.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
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