Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis occurs when the glandular cells that line the cavity of the uterus grow within its muscular wall. This is in contrast to endometriosis, where the same glandular cells that line the uterus grow within the abdominal cavity. Adenomyosis can cause the uterus to enlarge, usually 2 to 3 times normal size. This can cause abnormal bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, and infertility.
Treatment
Medical therapy is usually unsuccessful in the treatment of adenomyosis, although hormonal management is an option. Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) is the only definitive therapy, but is only performed in patients with significant symptoms who no longer desire future fertility.
We have a series of patients with adenomyosis who have had successful pregnancies after cytoreductive surgery (removing as much diseased tissue as possible from the uterus) for adenomyosis.
