Hysteroscopy Health Dictionary

An abbreviation for dilatation and curettage, a gynaecological procedure in which the cervix is dilated and the endometrium is scraped away and a sample removed for analysis.

D and C was once used to diagnose and treat disorders of the uterus.

It has largely been replaced by hysteroscopy, an endoscopic technique for removing the endometrium (see endometrial ablation).... d and c

A malignant growth in the tissues of the uterus. Cancer of the uterus mainly affects the cervix (see cervix, cancer of) and endometrium. In rare cases, the uterine muscle is affected by a type of cancer called a leiomyosarcoma. The term uterine cancer usually refers to cancer of the endometrium.

Risk factors for endometrial cancer include anything that may raise oestrogen levels in the body, such as obesity, a history of failure to ovulate, or taking oestrogen hormones long term if these are not balanced with progestogen drugs. It is also more common in women who have had few or no children.

Before the menopause, the first symptom of cancer of the uterus may be menorrhagia or bleeding between periods or after sexual intercourse; after the menopause, it is usually a bloodstained vaginal discharge. Diagnosis is made by hysteroscopy or biopsy.

Very early endometrial cancer is usually treated by hysterectomy and removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

If the cancer has spread, radiotherapy and anticancer drug treatment may also be used.... uterus, cancer of

n. observation of the interior of a Fallopian tube using a *falloposcope introduced via a hysteroscope (see hysteroscopy).... falloposcopy

n. 1. a surgical operation or any other process that induces *sterility in men or women. In women, hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy (surgical removal of both ovaries) are 100% effective and permanent. Alternatively, the Fallopian tubes may be removed (see salpingectomy) or divided and/or ligated. These operations can be performed through the abdomen or the vagina. The modern technique (tubal occlusion) is to occlude (close) permanently the inner (lower) half of the Fallopian tube through a *laparoscope. The occluding device is usually a clip (the Hulka-Clemens or Filshie clips) or a small plastic ring (Falope ring); *diathermy coagulation carries greater dangers (e.g. bowel burns) and is now little used. A more recent method is the use of a rapid-setting plastic introduced into the tubes through a hysteroscope (see hysteroscopy). Men are usually sterilized by *vasectomy. See also castration. 2. the process by which all types of microorganisms (including spores) are destroyed. This is achieved by the use of heat, radiation, chemicals, or filtration. See also autoclave.... sterilization