Is there a cure for endometriosis?

There is a big myth and much bad information regarding treatment of endometriosis. Many clinicians claim that endometriosis is incurable, but that’s not completely true.

The belief that endometriosis cannot be treated is based on many factors. One of them is the lack of training. When endometriosis surgery is undertaken by surgeons who are not trained to identify all the different forms that endometriosis can take inside the abdomen, it is reasonable that many active lesions will be left behind and this will lead to  recurrence of the disease shortly after the operation.

Another factor is that even today many gynaecology surgeons “ablate” (this means thermally damage) the lesions. This surgical technique is wrong and is clearly understood if we think the lesion as an iceberg. What the surgeon sees is the tip of the iceberg. By “ablating” the tip of the iceberg (tip of the lesion) the rest of the lesion, which  lies deeper in the tissues,   stays unharmed and still active. This way the active remnant of the lesion that is left behind leads to rapid recurrence of the disease.

The most effective way to treat endometriosis is to surgically exercise the full lesion to healthy margins and all lesions that are in the abdomen (excision technique). Excision of all endometriosic  lesions can lead to  high and permanent cure rate.

During the last years many new surgical techniques were introduced. Dr. Kyriakopoulos together with his mentor Mr Shaheen Khazali- director of the busiest endometriosis centre in the UK(CEMIG)-who belongs to the elite endometriosis surgeons worldwide, have operated on many patients who have now won their  quality of life back.

What is the best treatment for endometriosis?

Each person and each case is completely different from each other. It is very important that the plan for treatment is highly individualized. Different modalities of treatment like medication, surgery, a combination of these two or sometimes no intervention at all depend strictly  not only on the symptoms and their intensity but also on the patient’s wishes.

The key to success depends on two factors

    • The first one is that women should be adequately educated around the subject of endometriosis so that endometriosis awareness is raised. Identifying accurately and on time possible symptoms that may indicate endometriosis can lead to an early and effective intervention.
    • The second factor is a consultation with a gynaecologist surgeon who is specialized in treatment of endometriosis.

Dr Kyriakopoulos is an advanced laparoscopic surgeon who is extensively trained in treating endometriosis via the laparoscopic route.He has operated on many patients suffering from endometriosis who have now gained their quality of life back and are pain free.