Electrocoagulation Health Dictionary

Cancer of the cervix – the neck of the womb – is one of the most common cancers affecting women throughout the world. In some areas its incidence is increasing. This cancer has clearly identi?able precancerous stages with abnormal changes occurring in the cells on the surface of the cervix: these changes can be detected by a CERVICAL SMEAR test. Early cancer can be cured by diathermy, laser treatment, electrocoagulation or cryosurgery. If the disease has spread into the body of the cervix or beyond, more extensive surgery and possibly radiotherapy may be needed. The cure rate is 95 per cent if treated in the early stages but may fall as low as 10 per cent in some severe cases. Around 3,000 patients are diagnosed as having cervical cancer every year in the United Kingdom, and around 1,500 die from it. Latest ?gures in England show that the incidence rates have fallen to under 11 per 100,000 women, while death rates fell by more than 40 per cent during the 1990s. The sexual behaviour of a woman and her male partners in?uences the chances of getting this cancer; the earlier a woman has sexual intercourse, and the more partners she has, the greater is the risk of developing the disease.... cervical cancer

The application of a heated instrument to destroy tissues, to stop bleeding, or to promote healing, used in conditions such as haemorrhoids and cervical erosion. Cauterization has been largely replaced by electrocoagulation.... cauterization

Inflammation of the cervix, usually due to an infection, such as gonorrhoea, chlamydial infections, or genital herpes (see herpes, genital). Cervical infection may follow injury to the cervix during childbirth or surgery. The acute form of cervicitis often does not produce symptoms, although there may be a discharge from the inflamed cervix. The chronic form may produce a vaginal discharge, irregular bleeding from the vagina, and pain low in the abdomen. Untreated cervicitis can spread to cause endometritis, salpingitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease. If cervicitis is present in the mother, her baby may be infected during delivery resulting in neonatal ophthalmia or, less commonly, pneumonia due to chlamydial infection.

Treatment is with antibiotics or with antiviral drugs. If symptoms persist, the inflamed area of cervix may be cauterized by electrocoagulation, cryotherapy, or laser treatment.... cervicitis

One of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. Cancer of the cervix has well-defined precancerous stages (see cervical dysplasia) that can be detected by a cervical smear test, allowing, in many cases, early treatment and a complete cure. Untreated, cancer of the cervix may spread to the organs in the pelvis.

There are 2 main types of cervical cancer: the squamous type is the most common and is thought to be associated with the human papilloma virus, acquired during sexual intercourse. Factors that predispose to this type of cancer are smoking, starting to have sex at an early age, and having many sexual partners.

The second, rarer, type of cervical cancer, adenocarcinoma, sometimes occurs in women who have never had sexual intercourse. Its causes are unclear.

Symptoms do not develop until the condition is advanced, when there is vaginal bleeding or a bloodstained discharge at unexpected times, and pain if the cancer has spread within the pelvis.

Following an abnormal smear test result, colposcopy or a cone biopsy may be carried out to diagnose the condition.

A localized early cancer may be destroyed by electrocoagulation, diathermy, laser treatment, or cryosurgery.

If the cancer has spread into the cervical canal, a cone biopsy may be sufficient to remove all the diseased tissue.

In more advanced cases affecting the pelvic organs, radiotherapy may be given.

Radical surgery, in which the bladder, vagina, cervix, uterus, and rectum are removed, may be recommended in certain cases.... cervix, cancer of

The production of heat in a part of the body using high-frequency electric currents or microwaves.

It can be used to increase blood flow and to reduce deep-seated pain.

Diathermy can also be used to destroy tumours and diseased parts without causing bleeding.

A diathermy knife is used by surgeons to coagulate bleeding vessels or to separate tissues without causing them to bleed (see electrocoagulation).... diathermy

A technique for destroying tissue by the application of heat produced by an electric current. Electrocautery can be used to remove skin blemishes such as warts. (See also cauterization; diathermy; electrocoagulation.)... electrocautery

a type of *electrocoagulation used to arrest haemorrhage or destroy abnormal tissue. A stream of inert gas, such as argon or helium, is ionized, thereby carrying electrical energy to adjacent tissue; there is no physical contact between the plasma coagulation apparatus and the tissue.... plasma coagulation

the removal of the entire endometrium by means of an ablative technique under hysteroscopic control, usually performed as a day case or in a specialized out-patient clinic. It is an alternative to the more traditional hysterectomies that were undertaken for the relief of *menorrhagia. Methods for hysteroscopic endometrial ablation introduced in the 1980s included Nd: YAG (neodymium: yttrium–aluminium–garnet) laser ablation, *transcervical resection of the endometrium (TCRE), and rollerball *electrocoagulation (RBE). These first-generation procedures remain the gold standard for the hysteroscopic treatment of menorrhagia. Since the 1990s, the second generation of hysteroscopic ablation techniques have been developed. These include balloon thermal coagulation, in which a heated balloon is inserted into the uterus and destroys the endometrium; microwave endometrial ablation (MEA), which vaporizes the endometrial tissue; and Novasure, which destroys the endometrium by *radiofrequency ablation. About 75% of women obtain satisfactory improvement in their symptoms after these procedures.... endometrial ablation