Researchers at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney have made a world-first discovery into the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.
The team has successfully grown tissue from all known types of endometriosis in a laboratory, allowing researchers to observe cell changes and compare how different tissue responds to different treatments.
This increased understanding will allow doctors to better diagnose varying types of endometriosis to ensure patients receive the most effective treatment.
Endometriosis affects at least one in nine Australian girls and women, and while there’s yet to be a cure, this new breakthrough in research is much needed progress.
This new development will also help determine whether a woman with endometriosis is likely to need fertility treatment in the future.
The Royal Hospital for Women’s Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jason Abbott explains that “by knowing the type of endometriosis, we will be able to predict whether a patient is likely to experience an aggressive, invasive form of the disease and offer treatment to preserve her fertility.”
Abbott believes this endometriosis research breakthrough is comparable to developments in the treatment of breast cancer.
“Thirty years ago, we treated all breast cancers the same. We now know there are many different types of breast cancer and treat them accordingly,” he says.
“This is a similar breakthrough and will allow more targeted and therefore more effective treatment, depending on the type of endometriosis a patient has.”
The announcement of this research coincides with the Royal Hospital for Women Foundation’s Heart for Her campaign to raise funding for future advancements at the hospital.
“The Royal provides outstanding care and medical excellence for thousands of women with endometriosis, including assistance with fertility complications,” said Foundation General Manager Elise Jennings.
“By donating to Heart for Her you will help to support world-first medical breakthroughs, like this one.”
“We fund the best medical equipment, innovative research, people and programs for The Royal, and we rely on the generosity of our donors to do this.”
From now until June 30 2023, the Foundation is appealing for tax deductible donations to support the Heart for Her campaign and ensure the best healthcare is available to all women when they need it most.