Featuring Dr. Joseph Mullaney
Topic: Uterine FibroidsQ:
What are Uterine Fibroids?
A: Fibroids are benign tumors that develop in the muscular wall of the
uterus. Fibroids range in size and may be located in various parts of the
uterus. Women with fibroids do not always have symptoms, but depending on
their size and location, they can cause pain and heavy bleeding.
Q: Who is most likely to have Uterine
Fibroids?
A: Uterine fibroids are very common though they don’t always cause
problems. 20-40% of women over 35 will develop fibroids of a significant
size and African-American women are at a higher risk than the rest of the
population.
Q: How are Uterine Fibroids diagnosed?
A: Fibroids are usually diagnosed during a gynecologic internal
examination. The presence of fibroids is most often confirmed by an
abdominal ultrasound. Fibroids can also be confirmed using magnetic
resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) imaging techniques.
Q: How can Interventional Radiologists
treat Uterine Fibroids?
A: Interventional Radiologists can perform two minimally invasive
procedures to remove uterine fibroids. These procedures can often can
replace the need for major surgeries such as hysterectomy. These are
Uterine Fibroid Embolization and Magnetic resonance guided focused
ultrasound (MRGFU).
Q: What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
A: This approach to the treatment of fibroids blocks the arteries that
supply blood to the fibroids causing them to shrink. It is a
minimally-invasive procedure, which means it requires only a tiny nick in
the skin, and is performed by an interventional radiologist while the
patient is conscious but sedated — drowsy and feeling no pain. Advantages
over surgery include no incision and a shorter recovery time.
Q: What is Magnetic resonance guided
focused ultrasound?
A:Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRGFU) is a non-invasive
outpatient, procedure that uses high intensity focused ultrasound waves to
ablate (destroy) the fibroid tissue. An interventional radiologist uses
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to see inside the body to deliver the
treatment directly to the fibroid. This procedure, approved by the Food
and Drug Administration in October 2004, is a newer treatment option for
women with fibroids.
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