The data presented today at the 30th Scientific Annual Meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology found that nonsurgical treatment for uterine fibroid embolization deserve a 73 percent success rate in five years. br uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive interventional radiology that blocks the blood supply to fibroid tumors, causing them to shrink and die, alleviating symptoms. Because it is minimally invasive, has a much faster recovery time than open surgery, and preserves the uterus, this new treatment has become increasingly popular among women. Uterine fibroids are common noncancerous (benign) tumors that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus up to 40 percent of women over 35 years and the cause of approximately 200,000 hysterectomies in the United States annually. Most women with symptomatic fibroids are candidates for UFE. br Some gynecologists have been waiting for longterm data before recommending the UFE procedure, and now we have this data, I think women are hearing more about UFE as a nonsurgical option. Results myomectomy are comparable to a procedure in which the fibroids are surgically removed, but UFE is less invasive, and women recover more quickly, says James B. Spies, MD, professor of interventional radiology at Georgetown University Medical Center and the studys principal investigator. With any of the uteruspreserving treatments, the growth of new fibroids is possible, and we've seen this happen in some patients during the latter part of monitoring in this study. The same phenomenon is seen with myomectomy, with reintervention rates in the same range. Spies added, the next step in fibroid research is to design direct comparative studies between the various therapies to provide data as to which patients are best suited for each treatment. br In this study, 182 of 200 patients completed five years of followup data available for analysis, and 18 were lost to followup. The results were evaluated by a symptom questionnaire and patient status, interval interventions, and menstrual cycle regularity. Treatment failure was defined as hysterectomy, myomectomy (surgical removal of fibroids) or repeated embolization or failure of symptom control for two followup intervals. Using this measure, 20 percent of patients had failed or repeated with new fibroids at 5 years after treatment. Among this group, there were 25 hysterectomies (4 were nonrelated to fibroid), 6 myomectomies and 3 repeat embolizations. Seventythree percent of patients had continued symptom control within 5 years of followup interval. br An estimated 13,00014,000 UFE procedures are performed annually in the U.S. Durante la embolizaci�n de la arteria uterina, el radi�logo intervencionista hace un nick peque�o en la piel y se inserta un cat�ter en la arteria femoral en la ingle. Using real time imaging, the physician guides the catheter into the artery and then releases tiny particles, the size of grains of sand in the uterine arteries that supply blood to the fibroid tumor. This blocks the blood flow to the fibroid, causing it to shrink and die, and symptoms disappear. Embolic particles are approved by the FDA with a specific indication for the treatment of uterine fibroids. br UFE usually requires a hospital stay of one night. Many women resume light activities within days and most women are able to return to normal activities within seven to 10 days. br Uterine fibroids are one of the most common medical conditions experienced by women aged 3550. These benign tumors can cause prolonged, heavy menstrual bleeding that can lead to anemia and transfusions, disabling pelvic pain and pressure, urinary frequency, pain during intercourse, and an abnormally large uterus resembling pregnancy. Twenty to 40 percent of American women over 35 years, and almost 50 percent of African American women have uterine fibroids of significant size. br br
