THE VALUE OF IRRADIATION THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

Since Cullen and Pfannenstiel in the late 1890’s descrilxd the changes which are now termed endometriosis the treatment of the lesion has been a matter of much discussion. The literature on this subject is so vast that it is practically impossible to review it. The consensus of opinion is that endometriosis is generally Ixnign in character. This view has also been supported at the Radiumhemmet in Stockholm, where the number of cases of malignant disease of the reproductive organs has been steadily increasing in latter years. Admittedly, a malignant form of the lesion, the so-called malignant endometriosis, has occasionally been encountered which produces clinical symptoms resembling those associated with malignant metastasizing tumours. However these cases are rare exceptions, only 3 having hitherto been observed at the Radiumhemmet. Furthermore, malignant epithelial tumours may apparently develop in endometriotical cysts of the ovary. Lastly, cases have been encountered in which a carcinoma originated from adenomyosis involving the recto-vaginal septum. In view of the rarity of cases of malignant endometriosis there is definite justification in considering the lesion as benign. This should be kept in mind when assessing the value of the available methods of treatment.