Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine

Uterine Fibroids

Vascular and Interventional Radiology | Uterine Fibroids | Uterine Fibroids-Information For Physicians

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Fibroids are the most common tumors of the female reproductive tract. You might hear them referred to as "fibroids" or by several other names, including leiomyoma, leiomyomata, myoma and fibromyoma.

Fibroids are noncancerous (benign) growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. While fibroids do not always cause symptoms, their size and location can lead to problems for some women, including pain and heavy bleeding.

Facts About Fibroids

The number of women who have fibroids increases with age until menopause: From 20 percent to 40 percent of women ages 35 and older have uterine fibroids of a significant size. African-American women are at a higher risk: As many as 50 percent have fibroids of a significant size. It is not known why, although genetic variability is thought to be a factor.

Percentage of women who have fibroids
Age	%
20s	20%
30s	30%
40s	40%

How are Fibroids Diagnosed

Fibroid tumors can be suspected in patients with an enlarged uterus during a physical exam. The diagnosis can be made with increasing certainty with ultrasound, hysterosalpingogram (HSG), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatment Options

Treatment options include medical regimens, surgery and uterine artery embolization. Medical options include non-steroidal medication such as ibuprofen (Motrin), birth control pills and hormone treatments. Surgical options include myomectomy (removal of the fibroid tumor) or hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). Uterine artery embolization is a minimally invasive alternative.

Uterine Artery Embolization

Uterine fibroid embolization, courtesy of the Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology

Uterine artery embolization is a new approach to treating fibroid tumors. This procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist trained in the use of X-rays to guide interventions within the arteries. The procedure involves gaining access to the arterial tree through a skin nick at the top of the leg. A thin tube or catheter is guided to the artery that brings blood to the uterus, and very small particles are injected through the catheter to block the blood supply to the fibroid tumor. This causes the tumors to shrink.

Nine out of 10 women who have the procedure feel that their symptoms are significantly improved. In terms of reduction in size, on average, the tumors shrink by approximately 50 percent and the uterus by 40 percent at three months.

Side effects and complications are few, but include pain at the time of the procedure and complications related to the embolization of the fibroid tumors. Patients are usually admitted overnight on the day of the procedure as some patients experience severe pain for several hours after the procedure. The majority of symptoms are controlled with medications and most women are able to return to work in three to five days. There is a risk of infection in the embolized fibroid. This is usually managed with antibiotics. The embolization particles can travel to the ovaries and in a few women the ovaries stop functioning either temporarily or permanently.

For more information call the University Physicians Consultation and Referral Service at 1-800- 492-5538 (patients) or 1-800-373-4111 (physicians) or call the division directly at 410-328-7467, 7490, 3694.

This page was last updated on: November 7, 2008.