1. Computed tomography-based radiation therapy of ovarian remnants for symptomatic persistent endometriosis.
- Author
-
Haglund KE and Viswanathan AN
- Subjects
- Adult, Endometriosis diagnostic imaging, Female, Humans, Ovarian Diseases diagnostic imaging, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Endometriosis radiotherapy, Ovarian Diseases radiotherapy, Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted
- Abstract
Background: Endometriosis, a major cause of pelvic pain in women, is driven by estrogen. Ovarian remnant irradiation may alleviate pelvic pain by eliminating estrogen production in appropriately selected women with endometriosis., Case: Three patients with endometriosis causing incapacitating pelvic pain received 3D-imaging-based external beam radiation to doses of 1,500 to 2,100 cGy. All had pre-irradiation premenopausal follicle stimulating hormone levels and imaging evidence of ovarian remnants. None were candidates for further medical or surgical interventions. By 3 months after radiation, follicle stimulating hormone levels reached postmenopausal levels in all three patients, with complete resolution of the severe pelvic pain., Conclusion: Radiation therapy effectively induced menopause and relieved refractory pain from endometriosis. Careful selection of patients is necessary, given the potential for an increased long-term risk of radiation-related complications.
- Published
- 2008
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