Overview
Uterine artery embolization (UAE) or fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery for controlling symptomatic uterine fibroids that are responsible for pain, heavy menstrual bleeding and pressure on the bladder of bowel.
This procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist who specializes in the minimally invasive techniques. There are very few practitioners who are dedicated to uterine artery embolization in South Africa and those who are committed to create awareness about it the the public and the gynaecologists.
As per a leading interventional radiologist in Cape Town, “Although all women are potentially at risk to develop uterine fibroids, there is much anecdotal evidence from across the globe suggesting that women of African descent are at greater risk than the Caucasian women to develop this condition and suffer the serious symptoms.”
They are uncertain about the reasons for this as they do not know that a family history of the uterine fibroids can considerably increase the risk of woman to develop them. African women have numerous and larger fibroids than those seen in the Caucasian population.
What are fibroids?
The fibroids are the noncancerous growths in the uterus that develop from the smooth muscle tissue or myometrium. Their growth patterns may vary either they may develop slowly or rapidly or they may remain the same size.
The size of fibroids range from seedlings, undetectable to the human eye to the bulky masses which can distort and enlarge the uterus. They can be single or multiple and in extreme cases, expand the uterus so much that it will reach the rib cage. As many as three out of four women have the uterine fibroids sometime during their lives but most of them are unaware of them as often they may not cause any symptoms.
Usually, the symptoms occur between the ages of 20-55 years though its well known after menopause, the symptoms related to symptoms will go away. As per the medical community, this is due to the reduced levels of oestrogen post menopause.
What are the treatment options?
UAE is performed under X-ray guidance by making a small puncture of a blood vessel in the groin. The large uterine arteries supply the fibroids will be identified and the blood flow to the fibroids will be cut off by injecting the small particles. They will shrink and are reabsorbed by the body.
Embolisation is becoming an increasingly popular treatment option for women suffering from symptoms related to the fibroids. Some of the advantages of UAE over other procedures including a a quicker recovery time, reduced hospital stay and preservation of the uterus/womb. This is a pain-free procedure where patients do experience pain when the fibroids start to die and therefore need to take the pain killers to control.
This is a safe procedure performed on hundreds and thousands of women. The uterus which is most important for women will not be removed. It will not only treat the large fibroids but also the small fibroids which are often not even visible and may grow if not treated. The chances of fibroids growing back are extremely low.
Bottom Line
Over 90% of women undergoing UAE will be relieved of their symptoms. It is expected that the reduction in uterine and fibroid volumes will be over 60%. Incomplete death of the fibroids can lead to failure of treatment in about 5 to 10 percent cases and reoccurrence of the fibroids symptoms may occur in up to 25%. Ensure to get the UAE under specially trained interventional radiologist having a lot of experience with the procedure.
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