Abnormal Periods: When Should... Video Transcript

Webcast Transcript

So in that patient, as Steve was saying, it might be better to resect that, see how her symptoms are. If she's still having bleeding from the remaining fibroids, then proceed for other types of removal.

Myomectomy is also a choice where you remove the fibroids that are in the wall of the uterus and reconstruct the uterus. And with this, you have the ability to get pregnant and preserve fertility.

LINDA BRADLEY, MD: I think also for patients with uterine fibroids, the important thing for all of us to realize is their fibroids are rarely cancerous. And unfortunately some doctors use the language of tumors or pelvic masses, and these words are very frightening if your doctor tells you that you have a tumor.

Tumor in the way that we think within the uterus itself is rarely cancerous. One out of a thousand women has a cancer that's within a fibroid. So I think when you're looking at options, hysterectomy should be a last option for most women because of the rarity of cancer. And then, we can -- as you've mentioned -- look at other things that we can treat.

KEITH ISAACSON, MD: I think, however, there are advantages and disadvantages to all the treatment options that we've discussed. There are some advantages to a hysterectomy, for example, that we know a fibroid will never come back. The opposite extreme, there is an advantage to hysteroscopic resection in that there is no incision. It's outpatient and you're back to your normal lifestyle within 24-48 hours. The point is that I think the patient should be given all options if they are appropriate, and the patient should be well educated which is the responsibility of the health care provider. And then the patient should choose with proper guidance.

LINDA BRADLEY, MD: I think -- but I think that the message that so many women have is that hysterectomy is the only option. A webcast like this should be very informative to say that there are about three or four other things that you may be able to do that will get you through your life, staying in tact.

STEVE COHEN, MD: That's a good point. I mean you got to be aware with abnormal uterine bleeding and not having cancer, you've got to be aware of the provider or the physician who offers you only one option. Something is not quite right.

MARY WAGNER: So it's a combination of well informed patient and well informed physician. Abnormal uterine bleeding can be a thing of the past for many women.

STEVE COHEN, MD: Absolutely.

MARY WAGNER: Thanks very much for this informative discussion on abnormal uterine bleeding. And thank you for watching this webcast.

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