Embolization a Nonsurgical Way to Treat Fibroids

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"FUS is a newer procedure for uterine fibroids and whether it provides sustained symptom relief is still being evaluated. My research shows that when FUS fails, these women could benefit from uterine fibroid embolization," the study's lead author, Dr. Alisa Suzuki, an interventional radiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said in a prepared statement.

But Lipman suspected that -- despite the procedure's efficacy -- many women aren't being made aware of UAE. In his study, the Emory researcher interviewed 105 women being seen at an Atlanta-area fibroid practice to assess whether or not they had been told by their gynecologists that uterine artery embolization was an option. Lipman pointed out that gynecologists don't perform UAE, interventional radiologists do. So, if women were not informed about the procedure by their gynecologist, Lipman asked how they learned about UAE.

He found that only 33 percent of the women were given uterine artery embolization as an option, and most of these patients were referred from a single health-care organization -- one that requires doctors to present all options. The most common way that the remaining women found out about uterine artery embolization was either from radio advertisements or the Internet.

"While I encourage patients to use the Internet -- it's important for patients to empower themselves -- it's up to doctors to give their patients all the options. Gynecologists need to take the lead and tell their patients about this option. Patients shouldn't have to direct their own therapy," Lipman said.

Dr. William Romano, an interventional radiologist at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., added: "Embolization is a good treatment option and it should at least be considered in all patients with fibroids. It would be nice if the knowledge of it was more widespread."

More information

The Society of Interventional Radiology has more information on uterine artery embolization and other fibroid treatment options.