| About one in four U.S. women is affected by uterine fibroids, non-cancerous tumors that develop in the tissues and muscular wall of the uterus. This common condition can be silent or painful, causing heavy bleeding and discomfort in such areas as the pelvis, bladder or lower back. Ranging in size and severity, the tumors can be less than an inch in diameter or grow as large as a melon - sometimes stretching the uterus to the size of a five-month pregnancy.
 The newest treatment option for women is called uterine fibroid embolization, which destroys the fibroid while offering a welcome alternative to major surgery or hysterectomy.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization - This minimally-invasive approach works differently than conventional surgery. Rather than cutting out the tumor, the physician cuts off its blood supply and causes it to shrink. A soft, plastic catheter is placed into the patient's groin through a tiny nick in the skin. Then, with the help of x-ray imaging, the doctor carefully guides the catheter into the uterine artery and injects microscopic particles that block the blood flow. The procedure is done under local anesthesia and usually requires a one-night hospital stay. A majority of women who undergo uterine fibroid embolization are relieved of their symptoms and fully recovered within a week.
For more information about these services or to schedule a consultation, call our CVIL at (973) 831-5352.
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