 What are Uterine Fibroids?
A uterine fibroid is found in the muscular wall of the
uterus. Although it is benign, or noncancerous, some women may encounter pain and
discomfort due to these tumors. Uterine fibroids can be very tiny or as large as a
grapefruit and sometimes larger. A larger fibroid can create pressure on the bladder or
even cause constipation. Some women may experience very heavy bleeding and pain as a
result of these growths. This depends on the size and the location of the fibroids.
Uterine fibroids are common among women and are frequently very small and do not cause
problems.
How are Uterine Fibroids diagnosed?
Your gynecologist would diagnose a fibroid during an
internal examination. The further use of an Ultrasound, MR, or CT would confirm the presence of
uterine fibroids. If fibroids are present, and they cause symptoms, a drug will be
administered to treat it. An example of a drug given would be a prescription birth control
or some other form of hormone treatment. In many patients these drugs control their
symptoms and no further action is necessary. There are risks and side effects to taking
these drugs long term; therefore they are only used temporarily. Unfortunately, the
fibroids tend to grow back after the treatment is discontinued.
Fibroid Embolization
Another alternative would be a minimally invasive procedure
called fibroid embolization, which permanently shrinks fibroid tumors by blocking the
arteries that feeds the fibroids. Today, many women with fibroids are treated using this
minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. Because
this is not a major surgery, the patient is conscious but sedated. An interventional
radiologist performs these procedures through a small incision made in the skin, in the
groin, and a catheter is inserted into the artery. The catheter is guided through to the
uterus while watching the progress of the procedure on a moving X-ray. The interventional
radiologist injects little bead-like particles into the appropriate blood vessels to block
them until the fluoroscope shows that the blood flow has stopped. The cut off of the blood
flow to the tumors causes them to shrink so they no longer pose a problem.
Fibroid embolization usually requires a hospital stay of
one night. Some women experience moderate to severe cramping and pain after the procedure.
Nausea and fever are also occasional side effects, which are treated with the appropriate
medications. Pain killing medications and drugs to control swelling are typically
prescribed following the procedure to treat these side effects. The majority of women are
able to return to normal activities within one week. Studies show that 78 to 94 percent of
women who have the procedure experience significant or total relief of heavy bleeding,
pain and other symptoms.
What is an Interventional Radiologist?
Interventional radiologists are physicians who are
specially trained to treat and diagnose conditions using tiny tools with the aid of moving
X-ray imaging called fluoroscopy. Typically, the procedures are done through a nick in the
skin, about the size of a pencil point. Interventional radiology treatments are generally
better overall for the patient because it does not involve major surgery with anesthesia;
there is usually less pain and a shorter hospital stay. Interventional radiology also
offers new treatments for osteoporotic compression fractures called vertebroplasty.
If you think you are a candidate for this procedure, please
contact your primary care physician or gynecologist.
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