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Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Uterine fibroids are benign (noncancerous) tumors that grow on or within the muscle tissue of the uterus. Approximately 20-40% of women 35 years and older have fibroid tumors. Fibroids are more common among women of African-American descent. While some women do not experience any of the symptoms of fibroids, the location and size of fibroid tumors can cause symptoms that can affect a woman's quality of life.

Fibroids are hormonally sensitive so symptoms are likely to be cyclical, like menstruation. As estrogen levels tend to increase prior to the onset of menopause, this may cause the size of many uterine fibroids to increase. During menopause the levels of estrogen decrease dramatically, causing fibroids to shrink. However, women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause may not experience any symptom relief because the estrogen contained in this regime may cause fibroid tumors to enlarge and symptoms to return.

The sizes of fibroids range from very small (walnut size) to as large as a cantaloupe or even larger. Typically, physicians measure uterine fibroids in terms of the size of the uterus during pregnancy; for example, a very large fibroid can cause the uterus to become the size of a six- or seven-month pregnancy (24-28 weeks). Additionally, there can either be one dominant fibroid or a cluster of many small fibroid tumors.

Common symptoms of fibroids include:

  • Very heavy menstrual bleeding and prolonged monthly periods, sometimes with clots
  • Frequent occurrence of soiling events due to excessive menstrual bleeding
  • Anemia (excessive fatigue due to low red blood count)
  • Pelvic pain or pressure
  • Pressure on the bladder which leads to a constant need to urinate or incontinence
  • Pain in the back of the legs
  • Pain during sexual intercourse
  • Pressure on the bowel which can lead to constipation and/or bloating
  • An enlarged abdomen which may be mistaken for weight gain or pregnancy

Treatment Options

Once you have been diagnosed with fibroids, your doctor will discuss with you the various fibroid tumor treatments available. Your physician may advise you of minimally invasive, uterus-sparing therapy, such as UFE instead of surgical interventions, such as hysterectomy.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Also known as artery embolization, UFE is a procedure where an interventional radiologist uses a catheter to deliver Embosphere® Microspheres that block the blood supply to the fibroids. This is a minimally invasive, non-surgical therapy that treats all fibroids. This fibroid treatment usually takes less than one hour. Clinical data suggests that patients treated with Embosphere Microspheres return to work and daily activities on average within 11 days. Patients treated with other embolic agents return to work and daily activities between 13 and 16 days. Potential benefits of UFE include:

  • Preservation of the uterus
  • Decrease in menstrual bleeding from symptomatic fibroids
  • Decrease in urinary dysfunction
  • Decrease in pelvic pain and/or pressure
  • No surgical removal of the uterus and possible need of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
  • Virtually no blood loss
  • Covered by most insurance companies
  • Out-patient procedure (generally 10 to 23 hours)
  • More confidence with less chance of soiling events
  • Overall significant improvement in patient's physical and emotional well-being

UFE is a safe procedure for treating symptomatic fibroids with minimal risk. Overall, 96% of patients indicated they were happy with their twelve-month outcome, and would recommend UFE to a friend. Most reported risk factors and complications associated with UFE are transient amenorrhea, common short-term allergic reaction/rash, vaginal discharge/infection, possible fibroid passage, and "post-embolization syndrome." For more comprehensive information see www.ask4ufe.com.