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UTERINE FIBROIDS.
Article last updated: August 14 2009.
Sometimes in medicine specialists who do not necessarily specialise in any one particular part of the body come up with a treatment that works particularly well in another specialist’s territory. When this happens, rather than arguing over who the patient should belong to, the clever ones work together to see how they can best serve the needs of the patient. It is no longer a case of ‘one-size-fits-all’. The options used to be limited – gynaecologists performed hysterectomies. Those days are fortunately becoming the past and depending on individual circumstances, patients now have a wider choice of more minimally invasive and effective treatments. If you are concerned about diagnosing or treating fibroids, it is important to be aware of these options – and this involves dealing with different types of specialists. Here we talk to both the expert gynaecologist and the expert radiologist, and more importantly they are happy to talk to each other.
A Gynaecologist should always be the first specialist a patient should see if concerned about fibroids, or any other gynaecological issue. An expert gynaecologist will be able to recognise when embolisation might be an option and will discuss this and recommend this procedure only when and if appropriate.
Each article on uterine fibroids was prepared by a leading clinical expert. Click on the article title
to find information about the disease, details of the types of
treatment that the Consultant recommends and where you can get access
to this treatment. Click on the Consultant's name to see their qualifications, the extent of their experience and where they practice.
| Medical Specialist |
Article |
Synopsis |
| Mr Adrian Lower |
An Introduction to Uterine Fibroids |
Uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous tumours, occur in up to 50% of women. Although they only cause symptoms in around a quarter of cases they remain the most common cause of hysterectomy before the menopause.
Hysterectomy rates are falling quickly in the United Kingdom as women seek alternatives to radical surgery. In many cases conservative measures can be offered to treat symptoms and avoid hysterectomy. In some cases, however, hysterectomy is still the best option for complete and timely resolution of what can be severely debilitating symptoms for some women.
Although fibroids are one of the most common conditions affecting women we know surprisingly little about them and their natural history. In this article Adrian Lower outlines the facts of which we are aware and dispels some of the myths about fibroids. He also looks at some of the important consequences of having fibroids, as well as discuss some of the techniques doctors use to diagnose them. |
| Mr Adrian Lower |
Investigations used to establish a diagnosis of uterine fibroids. |
Symptoms attributable to uterine fibroids can also be caused by a number of other conditions, notably ovarian cysts, endometriosis and pelvic infection. As such, it is particularly important that the most appropriate investigative technique is used to determine an accurate diagnosis and subsequent options for treatment.
In this article Adrian Lower looks at the investigation techniques used to establish a diagnosis of uterine fibroids and to help to determine the best course of management. |
| Dr Nigel Hacking |
Uterine Fibroid Embolisation. An explanation of what is involved. |
Uterine Fibroid Embolisation (UFE) is a non-surgical, minimally-invasive, procedure that blocks off the arteries that supply the fibroids with blood (the uterine arteries), therefore shrinking the fibroids.
It is performed with the patient conscious, but sedated.
It is carried out by an Interventional Radiologist (IR), a doctor who has been specially trained in using x-ray equipment, interpreting the images produced and performing operations using X-Ray or other modern imaging equipment for guidance.
It was first performed in France in the early 1990’s, although radiologists have been embolising uterine arteries for more than 20 years to control bleeding from the womb, especially after childbirth.
80-96% of women are satisfied with the treatment and its result, and most patients rate the procedure as “very tolerable”.
The shrinkage in fibroid size averages 60% but varies from 20-100%.
Most women start getting relief of symptoms immediately, although fibroids that have taken years to develop will take months, or even years, to shrink to their final size.
Over 150,000 women world-wide have undergone uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE). |
| Mr Adrian Lower |
Modern Management of Uterine Fibroids |
This article looks at the management options for the treatment of uterine fibroids and some of the factors which will guide your gynaecologist in helping you to select the correct management for you. |
These
articles will be regularly updated, or entirely replaced in the case of
a fundamental change in recommended treatment approach. |
