A treatment for persistent menorrhagia (heavy menstrual blood loss) that involves endoscopic examination of the uterus (see endoscopy) and removal of the uterus lining, the endometrium, by diathermy or laser.
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.
an increase in the thickness of the cells of the *endometrium, usually due to prolonged exposure to unopposed oestrogen, which can be endogenous, as in anovular menstrual cycles; or exogenous, deriving, for example, from *hormone replacement therapy or an oestrogen-secreting tumour. It is classified as simple, complex, or atypical. Endometrial hyperplasia most commonly presents with abnormal uterine bleeding and accounts for 15% cases of postmenopausal bleeding. It may also be asymptomatic, and in some cases regresses spontaneously without ever being detected. The presence of atypical cells may lead to *endometrial cancer. Treatment can include progestogen therapy or surgery (see endometrial ablation); hysterectomy is advised when atypical changes are present.... endometrial hyperplasia
(MWA) an *ablation technique in which microwaves are used to burn tumour tissues. This has some advantages over *radiofrequency ablation because the heat generated is field heating, as in conventional microwave machines. This makes it possible to get a bigger ablation zone and means that the ablation is not affected by the heat-sink effect of adjacent blood vessels.... microwave ablation
the use of radioactive iodine (iodine-131) to destroy any residual thyroid tissue after thyroidectomy for cancer. Subsequent radioiodine treatment may be necessary to treat suspected or known residual thyroid cancer cells. Following ablation, thyroglobulin levels can be used as a *tumour marker.... radioiodine ablation
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