What is retroperitoneal fibrosis?
Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a rare state caused by tissue overgrowth behind the stomach and intestines. This condition develops if the tissue overgrowth is blocked by the ureters, the tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Retroperitoneal fibrosis is associated with cancer in approximately eight percent of cases, but up to 70 percent of cases are idiopathic and have no known cause. One theory is that autoimmune disease occurs because the immune system attacks the proteins contained in plaques atherosclerosis. According to this theory, advanced plaques penetrates the proteins into the surrounding tissue and stimulate the immune reaction that causes inflammation and possible accumulation of fibrous scar tissue.
in the early stages symptoms of retroperitoneal fibrosis include blunt pain in the back, lower abdomen non -barriers; leg pain; a reduced blood flow causing a change in the color of the legs; and swelling of the feet, usually in one leg. If the condition does not receive immediate treatment, urine output gradually decreases with kidney failure. In case of failureThe kidneys include symptoms of nausea, vomiting and confused thinking. If the intestinal tissue begins to die, its bleeding and severe abdominal pain may occur. Possible complications of the condition include venous inflammation that can lead to deep thrombosis; jaundice; swelling of the testicles; Intestinal obstruction; and spinal cord compression.
kidney damage can be permanent if not treated quickly. This is a special problem because of the difficulties in diagnosing this condition early enough to prevent damage. The first symptoms are non -specific, resulting in a relatively long diagnostic process and the risk of permanent kidney disease.
The most effective retroperitoneal fibrosis is a combination of surgery and other types of therapy, such as treatment and treatment of symptoms. The most important aspects of treatment are to maintain as many kidney functions as possible and ensure that other organs do not affect. Yet there are no general for this conditionReceived treatment regimens.
In terms of medicines, corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation in the early stages of the disease. Tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen drug, also demonstrated positive effects in reducing symptoms. However, both drugs have risks for long -term use and are therefore used in case of a case than a standard therapeutic protocol. Immunotherapeutic drugs with greater specificity and less long -term side effects than steroids were in experimental stages.
The most effective surgical treatment involves laparoscopic surgery for removal and reconstruction of fibrous tissue materials. This type of surgery is preferred over open surgery because it is much more invasive and risky, with a mortality of almost 10 percent. Another possible surgery involves temporarily or permanently installing the SSUNTS ureters to keep them open and prevent urine blocking.