The Society of Interventional Radiology estimates that 20 percent to 40 percent of women age 35 and over have uterine fibroids of a significant size. In most cases, they do not require medical treatment. For about 10 percent to 20 percent of women with fibroids, they make life miserable.

Catherine Webb, 45, of Maywood, Ill., had endured fibroids for years and learned to live with erratic and heavy menstruation. Last year, constant blood loss, anemia and a growing stomach started seriously limiting her lifestyle. A typically energetic and upbeat person, Webb had little energy to get through the day and was embarrassed to attend social events. "I was growing out of my clothes and never felt comfortable or rested," Webb said.

Some women suffer through the symptoms because they think that surgery is their only alternative. Myomectomy (surgery to remove the tumors) and hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus) are the traditional surgical treatments for fibroids. However, there is a newer alternative to surgery, which is called uterine fibroid embolization and is performed by an interventional radiologist. Embolization has been used for nearly 30 years to stop bleeding in various parts of the body. Within the past 10 years, the procedure has been developed to relieve fibroid symptoms and has shown good results.

Webb met with Alpa Chandarana, M.D., an interventional radiologist at Loyola University Health System, to discuss embolization.

"I am excited to offer this alternative treatment for fibroids that involves a shorter recovery time and less pain than surgical approaches," said Chandarana.
The procedure requires only a tiny nick in the skin in the groin area. The patient is mildly sedated but conscious. The physician guides a catheter into an artery toward the uterus while watching the progress via X-ray. When the catheter is positioned near the fibroids, the physician injects tiny plastic particles into the artery. Over the next few weeks, the particles cut off blood flow to the fibroids causing them to shrink. Most patients spend only one night in the hospital and return to normal activities within a week.

"The procedure works especially well for women who are bothered by heavy bleeding," said Kenneth Pierce, M.D., an interventional radiologist at Loyola. "Among these patients, 85 percent to 95 percent see improvement. For patients whose symptoms involve pressure and pain, the procedure is about 75 percent successful in relieving symptoms," Pierce said.

Each treatment for fibroids entails its own risks and benefits based on a patient's age, location and size of fibroids, and other factors, so women should discuss the options with their primary care physicians or gynecologists.

After having the procedure in February, Webb feels more energetic than ever and is back to her usual routines. Now that the fibroids have shrunk, her figure is shrinking back to normal. "I had to throw away a big old pair of jeans for the first time in a long time," she said.   

For more information about fibroid embolization or to make an appointment, call (708) 216-8563.

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