[Laparoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of uterine fibroid : a retrospective study]

Objective : To assess clinical and radiological efficacy and safety of laparoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of uterine leiomyomas. Material and Methods : Thirty-three patients with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas FIGO type 2 to 7, have undergone a laparoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation at Croix Rousse university hospital center (Hospices Civils de Lyon) and at Saint-Vincent de Paul hospital in Lille, between june 2020 and december 2022. The characteristics of each myoma and the symptoms were assessed with pelvic MRI and with Higham score, SSS and HRQL scores preoperatively and at 6 months. Results : A total of 54 fibroids have been treated in 33 patients. We observed a significant decrease of the volume 6 months after the surgery, on average 21ml (55,97 ml vs 74,37 ml, 95%CI [7,13 - 34,88], p=0.001). The maximum diameter of each fibroid was also significantly reduced on average 11,78mm (41,89 vs 52,06, IC 95% [8,83 - 14,73], p<0,05). We noticed a significant decrease of the NRS for dysmenorrhea on average 2.79 points (2,1 vs 4,89, 95%CI [1,14-4,42], p<0,05). There was also a trend to improvement of menorrhagia, assess by Higham score. Indeed, 70,8% of the patients had menorrhagia. Menorrhagia was improved of 108,3 points with an average Higham score before surgery of 197,3versus 87,9 after surgery (IC 95% [47,9-168,8], p=0,001). Concerning UFS-QOL score: the symptom severity score (SSS) decreased on average 33 points, testifying of symptom improvement (27,04 vs 60,89, 95%CI [22,92 - 43,39], p<0,001) and the HRQL score increased on average 20 points testifying quality of life improvement (65,57 vs 42,7, 95%CI [15,83-37,85], p<0,001). No severe adverse event has been reported. Conclusion : In this first French study about radiofrequency ablation, we confirm its efficiency for improvement of symptoms and quality of life, but other study are mandatory to confirm the safety of this procedure in particular in patients with a wish to conceive.

[Lucy's cancer(s): A prehistorical origin?]

OBJECTIVES

The recent discovery of the earliest hominin cancer, a 1.7-million-year-old osteosarcoma from South Africa has raised the question of the origin of cancer and its determinants. We aimed to determine whether malignant and benign tumors exist in the past societies.

METHODS

A review of literature using Medline database and Google about benign and malignant tumors in prehistory and antiquity. Only cases with morphological and paraclinical analysis were included. The following keywords were used: cancer; paleopathology; malignant neoplasia; benign tumor; leiomyoma; myoma; breast cancer; mummies; soft tissue tumor; Antiquity.

RESULTS

Thirty-five articles were found in wich there were 34 malignant tumors, 10 benign tumors and 11 gynecological benign tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The fact that there were some malignant tumors, even few tumors and probably underdiagnosed, in the past may be evidence that cancer is not only a disease of the modern world. Cancer may be indeed a moving target: we have likely predisposing genes to cancer inherited from our ancestors. The malignant disease could therefore appear because of our modern lifestyle (carcinogens and risk factors related to the modern industrial society).

[Prevalence of uterine fibroids in France and impact on quality of life: results of a survey among 2500 women between 30-55 years]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prevalence of symptomatic uterine fibroid in France, related symptoms and its impact on quality of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Online prospective survey from December 2012 to February 2013 using two questionnaires on 2498 women aged between 30 and 55 years old and representatives of the feminine population.

RESULTS

On the studied population, 220 women presented a symptomatic uterine fibroid representing a prevalence of 8.8%. 163 women (73.7%) presented bleedings associated or not with pain, and 58 (26.3%) suffered from pain only. For 77 (34.9%) women, the symptoms preceded the diagnostic and the mean delay between first symptoms and diagnostic was 2.22 years (ET : 3.56). At the time of the survey, 144 (65%) women with symptomatic uterine fibroid were followed by a physician (a gynecologist in 91.6% (n=132)), and 110 (49.7%) evaluated their pain as severe or extremely severe and 178 (80.6%) were bothered by their symptoms in their everyday life.

CONCLUSION

This analysis shows a strong prevalence for symptomatic uterine fibroid with a major impact on the quality of life.