Changes in the size of rectovaginal endometriotic nodules infiltrating the rectum during hormonal therapies

Simone Ferrero, Umberto Leone Roberti Maggiore, Carolina Scala, Scala C, Martina Di Luca, Di Luca M, Venturini PL, Pier Luigi Venturini, Valentino Remorgida
Archives of gynecology and obstetrics · 2012 · vol. 287(3) , pp. 447–453 · doi:10.1007/s00404-012-2581-2 · PMID:23053314 · W2072547957
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06+body, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

Hormonal therapies over 12 months significantly reduced rectovaginal endometriotic nodule volume in most patients, with volume decreasing at 6 and 12 months compared to baseline.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 · read from full text ⓘ

This prospective, non-randomized, self-controlled clinical trial evaluated changes in the volume of rectovaginal endometriotic nodules infiltrating the rectum in women over 12 months of hormonal therapy, using virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. Participants received one of several regimens (norethisterone acetate, triptorelin, tibolone, norethisterone acetate plus letrozole, desogestrel, or a sequential oral contraceptive pill), and 83 women completed the study. Compared with baseline, nodule volume decreased at 6 and 12 months (p < 0.001 for both), with decreases observed in most women (68/83; 73.9%) but increases in a minority (11/83; 12.0%). The paper’s limitation is its non-randomized design and self-controlled structure rather than randomized parallel comparisons. This paper is centrally about endometriosis—specifically, how 12-month hormonal therapies change the size of rectovaginal endometriotic nodules infiltrating the rectum.

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Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the changes in the volume of rectovaginal endometriotic nodules infiltrating the rectum during 12-month treatment with hormonal therapies.Materials and methodsThis prospective, non-randomized, self-controlled clinical trial included patients with rectovaginal endometriotic nodules infiltrating at least the muscularis propria of the rectum, who received one of the following therapies: norethisterone acetate, triptorelin and tibolone, norethisterone acetate and letrozole, desogestrel, sequential oral contraceptive pill. The volume of the nodules was determined by virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL, GE Healthcare, USA) at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of treatment.ResultsEighty-three women (90.2 %) completed the 12-month treatment. When compared with baseline values, the volume of the nodules decreased at 6-month (p < 0.001) and 12-month treatment (p < 0.001). After 12-month treatment, the volume of the nodules decreased in all study groups. The volume of the nodules decreased during therapy in 68 women (73.9 %) and increased in 11 women (12.0 %).Conclusion12-month administration of hormonal therapies reduces the volume of rectovaginal endometriotic nodules infiltrating the rectum in the majority of cases.
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Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the changes in the volume of rectovaginal endometriotic nodules infiltrating the rectum during 12-month treatment with hormonal therapies.

Materials and methods

This prospective, non-randomized, self-controlled clinical trial included patients with rectovaginal endometriotic nodules infiltrating at least the muscularis propria of the rectum, who received one of the following therapies: norethisterone acetate, triptorelin and tibolone, norethisterone acetate and letrozole, desogestrel, sequential oral contraceptive pill. The volume of the nodules was determined by virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL, GE Healthcare, USA) at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of treatment.

Results

Eighty-three women (90.2 %) completed the 12-month treatment. When compared with baseline values, the volume of the nodules decreased at 6-month (p < 0.001) and 12-month treatment (p < 0.001). After 12-month treatment, the volume of the nodules decreased in all study groups. The volume of the nodules decreased during therapy in 68 women (73.9 %) and increased in 11 women (12.0 %).

Conclusion

12-month administration of hormonal therapies reduces the volume of rectovaginal endometriotic nodules infiltrating the rectum in the majority of cases. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Arch Gynecol Obstet 287, 447–453 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2581-2 Received: Accepted: Published: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-012-2581-2

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Rectal Diseases Vaginal Diseases Adult Aromatase Inhibitors Aromatase Inhibitors Calcium Calcium Cholecalciferol Cholecalciferol Contraceptives, Oral, Sequential Contraceptives, Oral, Sequential Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic Desogestrel Desogestrel Endometriosis Endometriosis Estrogen Receptor Modulators Estrogen Receptor Modulators

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