Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine

Uterine Fibroids

Vascular and Interventional Radiology | Uterine Fibroids | Uterine Fibroids-Information For Physicians

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The interventional radiologists at the University of Maryland are extremely experienced in taking care of women with symptomatic fibroids, using uterine fibroid embolization. Our group has treated many hundreds of patients using UFE for 10 years. Our group has lectured nationally and internationally on the topic. Our doctors have been listed in Best Doctors awards since 1996.

Your initial consultation visit with the interventional radiologist is one in which your medical history and symptoms will be discussed and the risks and benefits of UFE, and its potential appropriateness for you will be discussed.

Fibroids are the most common tumors of the female reproductive tract. You might hear them referred to as leiomyoma, leiomyomata, myomas and fibromyomsa.

Fibroids are noncancerous (benign) growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. While fibroids do not always cause symptoms, their size and location can lead to problems for some women, including pain and heavy bleeding.

Facts About Fibroids

The number of women who have fibroids increases with age until menopause: From 20 percent to 40 percent of women ages 35 and older have uterine fibroids of a significant size. African-American women are at a higher risk: As many as 50 percent have fibroids of a significant size. It is not known why, although genetic variability is thought to be a factor.

Percentage of women who have fibroids
Age	%
20s	20%
30s	30%
40s	40%

How are Fibroids Diagnosed

Fibroid tumors can be suspected in patients with an enlarged uterus during a physical exam. The diagnosis can be made with increasing certainty with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatment Options

Treatment options include some medications, surgery and uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). Medical options include pain medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin), birth control pills and hormone treatments (that cause temporary menopause). Surgical options include myomectomy (removal of the fibroid tumor) or hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and possibly ovaries). Uterine fibroid embolization is a well-established minimally invasive alternative.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

This procedure is performed by an highly experienced and trained vascular and interventional radiologist. We use the same techniques to treat varicose veins, repair kidney arteries, treat peripheral arterial disease, or deliver targeted cancer therapies to the liver or other organs.

The procedure involves passing a tiny, pencil-tip sized tube (a catheter) through a tiny nick in the skin near the groin, into the arteries that feed blood to the uterus (uterine arteries). Tiny microscopic FDA approved particles are injected into these arteries to selectively block the blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to gradually shrink over time. This is done using ‘twilight’ moderate sedation, though most women choose to watch the procedure on the monitor as it is performed.

Results:

The success rates for control of heavy menstrual bleeding exceed 90%. Similar results are seen in women treated for pain or pressure symptoms, including bloating, constant pelvic pressure, painful intercourse, urinary frequency, bladder pressure, etc. These results have been validated in large scale studies of thousands of women, carefully and scientifically studied. During your initial consultation with the interventional radiologist at the University of Maryland, these data will be discussed in detail with you.

Side effects and complications are few. Studies have shown that risks and complications are significantly lower than surgery.

Return to work, daily activities, and patient satisfaction have all proven faster and better with UFE, when compared to hysterectomy and myomectomy.

Experience is important. The most experienced physicians performing UFE will provide you the best pre and post UFE care, as well as the most durable results.

For more information call the Interventional Radiology Division directly at 410-328-0000 or 410-328-7467.

Ziv J Haskal, MD, FSIR, FAHA, FACR, FCIRSE
Professor of Radiology, Vice Chair
Chief, Vascular and Interventional Radiology
University of Maryland School of Medicine

This page was last updated on: November 5, 2009.