Uterine Myoma, Myomectomy and Minimally Invasive Treatments

Book excerpt: Uterine myomas are the most common benign tumors in women, affecting the half of women and mostly in reproductive age. Myomas cause significant morbidity and are the single most common indication for hysterectomy around the world. Thus, myomas represent a major personal and public health concern worldwide. The diagnosis of fibroids can be established based on ultrasound and radiological imaging. Recent research on the genomics and molecular biology of myomas has enabled us to better understand the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of this benign tumor, but more remains to be discovered. In the clinical parterre, novel methods of conservative treatments have been developed to allow many women to keep their reproductive capacity and to save uterus, and more novel treatments are available on the horizon. For this topic, an outstanding group of worldwide experts have come together to provide a detailed discussion of basic research and clinical aspects of myomas. All the existing knowledge will be summarized in this book that can serve as a starting point for clinicians, young doctors, students, fellows and all researchers who want to read up on this disease. This book is devoted to myomas, covering both recent advances in our understanding of their behaviour, and an overview of the current options for their minimally invasive treatments, with endoscopy and new devices. As we learn more about the molecular, genetic and biology of myomas, we will be able to develop more innovative treatments.