Palliation of recurrent endometriosis with radiotherapeutic ablation of ovarian remnants

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 68; no. 5; pp. 938 - 940
• Main Authors: Thoms, William W., Hughes, Lorie L., Rock, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.11.1997; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Endometriosis; Endometriosis - drug therapy; Endometriosis - radiotherapy; Estradiol - blood; Fallopian Tubes - surgery; Female; Female genital diseases; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - blood; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Hysterectomy; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; ovarian remnant syndrome; Ovariectomy; Pelvic Pain - therapy; radiotherapy; Recurrence; radiotherapy; Endometriosis; ovarian remnant syndrome; Case study; Relapse; Treatment; Surgery; Uterine diseases; Female; Radiotherapy; Female genital diseases
• ISSN: 0015-0282; 1556-5653
• DOI: 10.1016/S0015-0282(97)00342-7

Objective: To review the use of radiotherapy for relieving the symptoms of recurrent endometriosis caused by functioning ovarian remnants. Design: Retrospective study (case report). Patient(s): A woman with recurrent endometriosis of 14 years' duration. Intervention(s): After hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy, hormonal management, and multiple explorations for recurrent endometriosis, cycling ovarian remnants were confirmed histologically. Pelvic irradiation was used to ablate this tissue. A dose of 15 Gy in 10 daily fractions was given through anterior and posterior opposed fields using 18-mV photons. Result(s): The patient had a prompt increase in FSH levels associated with castration levels of serum E 2. A review of the literature on the use of radiotherapy in this clinical situation is presented. Conclusion(s): Radiotherapy should be considered in selected patients when ovarian castration is not a viable surgical option and hormonal therapies have failed.