WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 14, 2019 – The Center for Innovative GYN Care® (CIGC®) announced today the results of a study conducted in advance of National Women’s Health Month in May, based on patient data for women undergoing myomectomy and hysterectomy procedures. The study highlights the challenges in diagnosing adenomyosis, a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus, which causes blood to get entrapped and can result in abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), painful menstrual cramps, an enlarged uterus and potential infertility. However, approximately one third of women affected by adenomyosis are completely asymptomatic.
According to CIGC data, more than half (56 percent) of hysterectomy patients had adenomyosis in their pathology, and yet, in patients with no other pathology, adenomyosis was identified in only 11 percent of MRIs and 16 percent of transvaginal ultrasounds – the current standard of care in diagnosis of this condition. As a result, OBGYNs often have a difficult time diagnosing adenomyosis with certainty, especially before surgery, or before pathology results become available. In addition, if a patient has adenomyosis co-existing with leiomyoma, also known as fibroids, the diagnosis may be missed entirely despite having an MRI.
“This data highlights the underlying issues for women suffering from complex GYN health issues – such as adenomyosis, which has recently been associated with infertility – that are going entirely undiagnosed,” said Dr. Louise van der Does, CIGC Director of Research and Public Policy. “While identifying adenomyosis is difficult pre-pathology, CIGC surgical specialists are not only aware of these potential issues; they have the expertise to diagnose and to provide optimal treatment with a higher rate of success.”
Due to the potential similarities and connections between different aspects of the same disease, patient awareness of the different pathologies is also imperative. As endometriosis and fibroids commonly coexist, the CIGC study found that, out of all myomectomy patients surveyed, 16 percent had both fibroids and endometriosis, while 8 percent had both fibroids and adenomyosis.
“It is important that doctors don’t dismiss the diagnosis of adenomyosis or endometriosis prior to surgical intervention, especially for women who are experiencing chronic pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding or infertility, as it may result in untreated or inadequate treatment,” added Dr. Paul MacKoul, Co-founder of CIGC and laparoscopic GYN surgeon. “Not only can improper diagnosis result in suboptimal treatment, it may require additional surgeries for patients, all of which could have been avoided. Our data further highlights the need for patients and doctors, both primary care physicians and specialists, to be aware of the different pathologies that relate to each of these health issues, especially when fertility can be compromised.”
Study Methodology
The data for the CIGC study was collected from October 2013 through August 2018 and is comprised of 1582 hysterectomy patients and 961 myomectomy patients who had surgery with CIGC.
About The Center for Innovative GYN Care
The Center for Innovative GYN Care® (CIGC®) is a state-of-the-art laparoscopic GYN surgical practice that uses exclusive techniques developed by the founders, Dr. Paul MacKoul and Dr. Natalya Danilyants. Patients travel from around the world for the groundbreaking DualPortGYN® and LAAM-BUAO® techniques. These innovations treat complex gynecologic conditions using just two small incisions without the use of power morcellation or robotics. The practice is dedicated to providing women with excellent laparoscopic outpatient surgical care that optimizes the procedure, minimizes the risk of complications and ensures a faster recovery at home.
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