What is Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a new, minimally invasive procedure that helps shrink fibroids without surgery. UFE is performed by interventional radiologists, who are board-certified, medically trained physicians who specialize in performing minimally invasive, targeted treatments. Using a tiny catheter, the interventional radiologist’s blocks the blood supply to the fibroids by placing the catheter into the artery through the groin. Using X-ray imaging, radiologists direct the tip of the catheter into the main artery supplying blood to the uterus. Small plastic particles, which are about the size of grains of sand, are placed in that artery, blocking blood flow to the fibroid. The fibroid shrinks or dies completely from lack of blood flow. UFE is performed while patients are conscious and sedated.

What are the Advantages of UFE?

UFE is considered to be very safe and is about 90 percent effective in relieving or eliminating the symptoms of fibroids. The procedure has even been successful in treating women with multiple fibroids. Usually, patients only stay in the hospital for 24 hours, and most patients fully recover within 10 days. Most importantly for many women, UFE leaves all reproductive organs intact and may preserve patients’ ability to have children.

Have there been any studies showing the success of UFE?

According to study findings presented at the 2006 annual scientific meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), uterine artery embolization (UAE) is an effective treatment for uterine fibroids that is safer than surgery and is also associated with shorter hospital stays. The November 2002 issue of the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published the largest UFE study to date, which found the procedure had a high success rate, low symptom recurrence rate, and no regrowth of treated fibroids. Ninety-seven percent of the 400 women studies were pleased with the outcome and would recommend the treatment to others, and 84 percent showed an improvement in symptoms. The results are similar to and confirm the results of another study reported in the July 2001 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology. That study reported an improvement of symptoms in 90 percent of patients.

"Uterine Fibroid Embolization" by Phillip T. Zeni, Jr., M.D. Read more of this article

Uterine leiomyomas (fibroid tumors) are the most common tumors in the female reproductive tract; they occur in 20-40% of women over the age of 35. Fibroids are benign tumors responsive to estrogen and increase in size and number with age and tend to regress after menopause.