9703326 Bischof Uterine fibroids are the most common organ disease in gynecology and the most common reason for major surgery in women. Current treatments include hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), myomectomy (surgical removal of the fibroid), and most recently myolysis (destruction of the fibroid in the body). The proposed work will investigate the potential of cryosurgery of the fibroid or cryomyolysis as a conservative alternative for women who suffer from fibroids but do not wish to undergo a surgical operation to remove either the fibroid or their uterus. The hypotheses are: 1. The effectiveness of cryomyolysis is due primarily to vascular injury (damage to the vascular network nourishing the fibroid) as opposed to direct cellular injury (damage to the fibroid cells themselves), and 2. The extent of cellular destruction can be predicted based on the thermal history imposed on the tissue during cryomyolysis. By testing these hypothesis in the specific aims of the proposal, we will be able to answer the following questions: How low a temperature held for what length of time is necessary to destroy single fibroid cells and tissues? Is there a difference in the ability of cryosurgery to destroy the cells and tissues when they are in the body (in vivo) vs. when they are outside of the body (in vitro)? If a difference exists, can it be attributed to a vascular in injury mechanism inside the body (in vivo)? And finally, how does the size of the ice ball that is formed during the surgery correlate to the amount of tissue destroyed as a result of the technique? The answers to these questions are critical to a thorough understanding of the mechanism of cryosurgical destruction and, consequently, to the prudent and effective application of this surgical technique in uterine fibroids. ***

Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1997-09-15
Budget End
2002-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
$324,582
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455