Endometriosis Centre of Excellence

March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month and the specialist team here at Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital led by international expert Mr Mohamed Mabrouk, is celebrating becoming the first private endometriosis centre in East Anglia accredited by the British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE). This means the team and the Hospital have become a centre of excellence for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.

Endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK, it can be a chronic and very painful condition which is difficult to diagnose because of variations in symptoms. Some patients require surgery and if the condition is advanced, surgery can be complex requiring a team approach involving many surgeons with the necessary expertise in this particular type of procedure and condition. The multidisciplinary team at Spire Cambridge Lea is led by Mr Mohamed Mabrouk, Consultant Gynaecologist and endometriosis surgeon with a special interest in endometriosis and advanced laparoscopic surgery.

Mr Mabrouk explained:

“Endometriosis is an incredibly tough, debilitating and little known about or understood disease, which is sadly common. Now this hospital is recognised as an accredited centre for endometriosis management, it will help more women from across the region access a diagnosis and the care they need. Sadly many of our patients have suffered for the majority of their life with painful symptoms, so I feel privileged to work with this great team who can treat different degrees of severity of endometriosis. Everyone is experienced and devoted to helping women overcome endometriosis and have a better quality of life, living as symptom and pain free as possible.”

Neil McCullough Hospital Director at Spire Cambridge Lea stated:

“Many of our patients have waited years for a diagnosis and that is why I’m proud of the endometriosis care service at Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital. This accreditation demonstrates we have a recognised and experienced team devoted to our endometriosis patients, so they can access specialised care and support whenever they need it. As well as Mr Mabrouk, the team includes a specialist nurse, a pain management specialist, a specialised radiologist and the vital supporting consultants in other specialties including colorectal surgery, urology, uro-gynaecology and reproductive endocrinology.”

The diagnosis and treatment team

All too commonly for many patients, by the time it is diagnosed and operable, the endometriosis may have spread to their bladder, bowel, ovaries or ureters. Mr Jonathon Morton is a Cambridge-based colorectal surgeon who works with Mr Mabrouk to remove endometriosis tissue in the bowel. Mr Nikesh Thiruchelvam is a consultant urologist who assists patients who have endometriosis in their ureter or bladder. Often all three consultants are involved in the same operation as a patient undergoes endometriosis tissue removal from multiple areas. Other specialist such as Dr Paul Rolfe, consultant in pain management, Mr Gerald Hackett, consultant gynaecologist and Dr Sue Freeman, consultant radiologist are also involved throughout diagnosis and treatment.

Visit www.bsge.org.uk for more information about the British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE).