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- $Unique_ID{BRK00843}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What is the Difference Between a "Myomectomy" and a "Hysterectomy"?}
- $Subject{hysterectomy fibroma surgery special procedure procedures
- Genitourinary surgical surgeries operation fibroids fibroid uterus myomas mys
- muscle tumor myomectomy tumors cramps bleeding hysterectomies myomectomies}
- $Volume{P-14}
- $Log{
- Hysterectomy*0008600.tid
- Total Hysterectomy*0008601.scf
- Partial Hysterectomy*0008602.scf
- Diseases of the Female Reproductive System*0009001.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- What is the Difference Between a "Myomectomy" and a "Hysterectomy"?
-
-
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-
- QUESTION: It is probably only a difference in terminology and are really the
- same thing, but I need to know the difference between a "myomectomy" and a
- "hysterectomy". My medical dictionary didn't make it clear enough. Please
- help.
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: No they are not the same thing at all, although both are surgical
- operations, both deal with the same organ, the uterus, and both terms
- frequently occur in the same discussion. A hysterectomy refers to the
- surgical removal of the uterus (the word "hystera" in Greek means uterus).
- Frequently, the uterus forms benign tumors of muscle and fibrous tissue, in a
- condition commonly referred to as "fibroids" or "a fibroid uterus". These
- tumors are called "myomas" since "mys" in Greek means muscle. When a patient
- suffers from this condition, the surgeon has two choices. If the tumors are
- small, but creating problems such as cramps and bleeding, only the tumor need
- be removed (hence myomectomy). But when the tumors are large, and are
- continuing to grow and cause suffering and pain, and particularly when the
- patient no longer wishes to bear children, a hysterectomy may be performed to
- solve the problem. A well informed patient may have a choice in the decision,
- provided these terms are not "Greek" to her.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-
-