DES Exposure Health Article

Treatment

There is no treatment for the abnormalities of the fallopian tubes and uterus caused by DES exposure. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help with infertility and premature labor. Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina or cervix must be treated with surgery and, possibly, chemotherapy.

BOOKS

Laufer, Mark R., and Donald P. Goldstein. "Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology." In Kistner's Gynecology,ed. Kenneth J. Ryan, Ross S. Berkowitz, and Robert L. Barbieri. St. Louis: Mosby, 1995.

Sheets, Ellen. "Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Cervix." In Kistner's Gynecology, ed. Kenneth J. Ryan, Ross S. Berkowitz, and Robert L. Barbieri. St. Louis: Mosby, 1995.

Amy B. Tuteur, MD

KEY TERMS

Cervix—The opening at the bottom of the uterus.

Colposcopy—A special examination of the cervix using a magnifying scope. This is a procedure that can be done in the doctor's office.

Fallopian tubes—The tubes that carry the ovum (egg) from the ovary to the uterus.

Pap smear—A screening test for precancerous and cancerous cells on the cervix. This simple test is done during a routine pelvic exam and involves scraping cells from the cervix.