First study of uterine fibroid embolization to treat post-menopausal women

The first study of uterine fibroid embolization to treat post-menopausal women shows that the non-surgical treatment was technically successful in 100 percent of patients, and improved bulk-related symptoms in 92 percent of the women.

The research was presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 31st Annual Scientific Meeting in Toronto. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) has been performed by interventional radiologists since 1995 to treat symptomatic non-cancerous tumors in the uterus. During the technique the physician makes a tiny nick in the skin to insert a catheter into the femoral artery at the groin. Using real-time imaging, the physician guides the catheter through the artery and then releases tiny particles, the size of grains of sand, into the uterine arteries that supply blood to the fibroid tumor. This blocks the blood flow to the fibroid tumor causing it to shrink and die.

“Although uterine fibroids generally regress after menopause due to the change in hormone levels, there are many post-menopausal women who continue to suffer pain, constipation, urinary frequency and other symptoms caused by their uterine fibroids,” explained study author and interventional radiologist, Robert L. Vogelzang M.D., of Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL. “This research shows that non-surgical uterine fibroid embolization effectively reduces fibroid-related symptoms in post-menopausal women and should therefore be offered as a treatment choice.”

Post-menopausal women have been included in previous UFE studies, but this was the first time the entire cohort had completed menopause. The 24 women in this study were identified as post-menopausal according to the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) criteria. The patients' average age was 52. The average follow-up was nine months.

Uterine fibroids are very common non-cancerous (benign) growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. They can range in size from very tiny (a quarter of an inch) to larger than a cantaloupe. In most cases, there is more than one fibroid in the uterus. Most fibroids don't cause symptoms—only 10 to 20 percent of women who have fibroids require treatment.

“Women need to know their options and make treatment choices that are right for them. This research shows that post-menopausal women can add non-surgical uterine fibroid embolization to their list of treatments to consider, right along with hysterectomy and myomectomy,” Vogelzang added.