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Favilli A, Mazzon I, Etrusco A, Dellino M, Laganà AS, Tinelli A, Chiantera V, Cicinelli E, Gerli S, Vitagliano A. The challenge of FIGO type 3 leiomyomas and infertility: Exploring therapeutic alternatives amidst limited scientific certainties. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024; 165:975-987. [PMID: 38009829 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas (ULs) are non-cancerous tumors composed of smooth muscle cells that develop within the myometrium and represent the most prevalent pathological condition affecting the female genital tract. Despite the volume of available research, many aspects of ULs remain unresolved, making it a "paradoxical disease" where the increase in available scientific literature has not been matched by an increase in solid evidence for clinical management. Fertility stands at the top of the list of clinical issues where the role of ULs is still unclear. The leiomyoma subclassification system, released by the International Federaion of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) in 2008, introduced a new and more effective way of categorizing uterine fibroids. The aim was to go beyond the traditional classification "subserosal, intramural and submucosal", facilitating a detailed examination of individual ULs impact on the female reproductive system. The "type 3 UL" is a special type of myoma, characterized by its complete myometrial development while encroaching the endometrium. It is a unique "hybrid" between a submucous and an intramural UL, that may exert a detrimental "double hit" mechanism, which is of particular interest in patients wishing pregnancy. To date, no robust evidence is available regarding the management of type 3 ULs. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the physiopathological mechanisms that type 3 UL may exert on fertility, and to present new perspectives that may help us to better understand both the need for and the methods of treating this unique type of fibroid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Favilli
- Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Center of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Etrusco
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Miriam Dellino
- 1st Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Simone Laganà
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Tinelli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CERICSAL (CEntro di RIcerca Clinico SALentino), Veris delli Ponti Hospital, Scorrano, Italy
| | - Vito Chiantera
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Unit of Gynecologic Oncology, National Cancer Institute - IRCCS - Fondazione "G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Cicinelli
- 1st Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Sandro Gerli
- Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Center of Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Amerigo Vitagliano
- 1st Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Hu Y, Song X, Xu L, Zhou Z. High-intensity Focused Ultrasound is a Better Choice for Women with Fertility Desire: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Comparison between High-intensity Focused Ultrasound and Laparoscopic Treatment of Uterine Fibroids. Gynecol Minim Invasive Ther 2024; 13:79-89. [PMID: 38911304 PMCID: PMC11192288 DOI: 10.4103/gmit.gmit_23_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is commonly used to treat uterine fibroids and adenomyosis, but there is no evidence using metadata to compare fertility outcomes between conventional laparoscopic procedures and HIFU. The purpose of this study analysis is that evidence-based fertility outcomes may provide better treatment options for clinicians and patients considering fertility. The literature on fertility data for HIFU surgery versus laparoscopic myomectomy was searched in seven English language databases from January 1, 2010, to November 23, 2022. A total of 1375 articles were received in the literature, 14 of which were selected. We found that women who underwent HIFU surgery had higher rates of spontaneous pregnancy, higher rates of spontaneous delivery, and higher rates of full-term delivery but may have higher rates of miscarriage or postpartum complications than women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy. Looking forward to future studies, it is hoped that the literature will examine endometrial differences in women who undergo HIFU and laparoscopic myomectomy to demonstrate the ability of endometrial repair. The location of fibroids in the sample should also be counted to allow for attribution statistics on the cause of miscarriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Hu
- School of Nursing, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Surgery, Hangzhou Women’s Hospital (Hangzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohong Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou Women’s Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Linjun Xu
- Department of Surgery, Hangzhou Women’s Hospital (Hangzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenfeng Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hangzhou Women’s Hospital, Hangzhou, China
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Qu D, Liu Y, Jiang J, Shi Q, Zhou H, Wang Z. Pregnancy outcomes following ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound in submucous leiomyomas: a retrospective study. Int J Hyperthermia 2023; 40:2193363. [PMID: 36966814 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2023.2193363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) on pregnancy in submucous leiomyomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between October 2015 and October 2021, a retrospective observational study was conducted at the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, China, for 32 women with submucous leiomyomas who became pregnant after USgHIFU. Pregnancy outcomes, submucous leiomyomas characteristics, and USgHIFU parameters were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 17 (53.1%) deliveries were successfully achieved, with full-term delivery in 16 (94.1%) patients and preterm delivery in 1 (5.9%). After USgHIFU, the effective volume in the uterus cavity and the volume of submucous leiomyomas shrank in all 32 patients. The median time to achieve pregnancy after USgHIFU was 11.0 months. Before pregnancy, myoma type was downgraded in 13 (40.6%) patients, stable in 10 (31.3%) and upgraded in 9 (28.1%). The vaginal expulsion rate of submucous leiomyomas was 28.1%, with complete expulsion in 3 (9.4%) patients and partial expulsion in 6 (18.8%). After USgHIFU, the size of submucous leiomyomas did not increase in each trimester (all p > 0.05). The high complications rate during pregnancy (7/17, 41.2%) was associated with advanced maternal age, with only one (5.9%) premature rupture of membranes possibly associated with submucous leiomyomas. There were 6 (35.5%) vaginal delivery and 11 (64.7%) cesarean sections. All 17 newborns developed well, with a mean birth weight of 3482 g. CONCLUSIONS In patients with submucous leiomyomas, pregnancies and full-term deliveries can be successfully achieved following USgHIFU, with few related complications.
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Liu Y, Huang J, Du C, Jiang J, Zhou H, Qu D. High-intensity focused ultrasound as a pretreatment combined with hysteroscopic resection for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia with chemotherapy intolerance: a case report. Int J Hyperthermia 2023; 40:2192448. [PMID: 36966804 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2023.2192448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to resistance and intolerance to chemotherapy, localized lesion resection may be required in some patients with Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), which may lead to massive bleeding. In this case report, we describe the successful use of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as an effective pretreatment method for surgical procedure in a patient with GTN to reduce the perioperative risk and the impact on fertility. CASE PRESENTATION A 26-year-old woman was diagnosed with high-risk GTN (FIGO Stage III: 12 prognostic scores) after a hydatidiform mole. The fifth chemotherapy cycle was interrupted due to severe chemotherapy toxicity. However, the uterine lesion was still present and the beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) level was not restored to normal. Therefore, ultrasound-guided HIFU was performed as a pretreatment method to shrink the lesion and prevent massive bleeding during localized lesion resection. The effectiveness of ablation was evaluated immediately using contrast-enhanced ultrasound and Color Flow Doppler ultrasonography. One month after HIFU treatment, the uterine lesion was completely resected under hysteroscopic surgery. During the surgery, HIFU was found to have shrunk the lesion and there was minimal bleeding (5 mL). The uterine cavity morphology and menstruation returned to normal after surgery. The patient has showed no signs of recurrence as of one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION Ultrasound-guided HIFU ablation may be a new choice for high-risk GTN patients with chemoresistance or chemo-intolerance. As a noninvasive pretreatment method, HIFU can shrink the uterine lesion, and reduce the risk of bleeding with no obvious effect on fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Chengchao Du
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Honggui Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Non-invasive and Microinvasive Laboratory of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Dacheng Qu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- Non-invasive and Microinvasive Laboratory of Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
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Otonkoski S, Sainio T, Mattila S, Blanco Sequieros R, Perheentupa A, Komar G, Joronen K. Magnetic resonance guided high intensity focused ultrasound for uterine fibroids and adenomyosis has no effect on ovarian reserve. Int J Hyperthermia 2022; 40:2154575. [PMID: 36535925 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2022.2154575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in healthy women. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a modern, noninvasive thermal ablation method for treating uterine fibroids. There is increasing evidence that ultrasound guided HIFU (US-HIFU) has no adverse impact on ovarian reserve but little data exists on magnetic resonance guided HIFU (MR-HIFU). There are different options to estimate ovarian reserve, perhaps the most reliable being the measurement of serum Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). MATERIAL AND METHODS Seventy-four (74) premenopausal women with serum AMH 0.1 ug/L or over, aged 24-48 and with fibroids or adenomyosis treated with MR-HIFU were enrolled in our study. AMH levels were analyzed before and 3 months after the MR-HIFU treatment. Correlations between AMH level changes and position of fibroids, fibroid volume, non-perfused volume ratio, and treatment energies were studied. RESULTS The median AMH level before the HIFU treatment was 1.20 (range: 0.1-7.75 ug/L) and after the treatment 1.23 (range: 0.1-8.51 ug/L). No significant change was detected (p = .90). The patients were divided in three subgroups depending on the baseline AMH levels. The changes were not significant in any of the subgroups. Neither did the location of the treated fibroid affect the change of AMH levels nor the total energy used during treatment. CONCLUSIONS MR-HIFU does not compromise the ovarian reserve. Neither the location of the treated fibroid nor the total energy used during MR-HIFU had any effect on the change of AMH levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saara Otonkoski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Teija Sainio
- Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Department of Medical Physics, Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Sami Mattila
- Department of Medical Physics, Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Roberto Blanco Sequieros
- University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Antti Perheentupa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Gaber Komar
- University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Kirsi Joronen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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