Uterine fibroids are the most common benign
(non cancerous) tumours in females and occurs in 20-40% of women in child
bearing age. They greatly vary in size from being very tiny (less than a cm) to
very large (15cm or more).
Fibroids
are located in muscular wall of uterus. When they arise within the wall, they
are called Intramural, when they arise just below the uterine surface, they are
called subserosal. They grow more outwards, rather than inwards, hence least
symptomatic. When arise just beneath uterine cavity lining, they are called
submucosal. They distort and compress the lining and can cause heavy bleeding.
Intramural are commonest and largely vary in size.
Causes: Fibroids can occur in any female
and no specific reason can be ascertained.
Diagnosis: They are generally found on
ultrasound examination either when doctors recommends this test for suspecting
symptoms or even incidentally on routine abdominal ultrasound study. In very large
fibroids or as a baseline test before starting treatment, MRI can also be
suggested which shows the fibroids very clearly as rounded dark lesions in
uterine wall (on T2W images).
Treatment: Scared of the surgical
treatment recommended by your family doctor or Gynaecologist? Do not panic.
Surgery is not required in majority of cases. The latest most advanced
non-surgical treatment is “Uterine Artery Embolization with only one day
hospitalization and no general anaesthesia & no surgical scar. It is a popular
treatment in western countries and now it is available in India, in New Delhi.
Surgical
treatment myomectomy has high recurrence rate while hysterectomy is physically
and emotionally traumatic. Uterine Artery Embolization treats all fibroids in
one treatment, recurrence is almost nil and relief of symptoms is immediate. So
emotionally, physically and financially this treatment has overall advantage over surgical treatment.
Dr Pradeep
Muley MD
Senior
consultant Interventional Radiologist
New
Delhi, India
Call or Whatsapp 09810492778
E-mail- muleypradeep@hotmail.com
website -- http://www.uterusfibroidtreatment.com