What are uterine fibroids?
 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. Occasionally, they can cause the uterus
to grow to the size of a five-month pregnancy. In most cases, there is more than
one fibroid in 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.
What are the typical symptoms?
Most fibroids don't cause symptoms - only 10 percent to 20 percent of women who
have fibroids ever require treatment. Depending on location, size and number
of fibroids, a woman might experience the following:
- Heavy, prolonged menstrual periods and unusual monthly bleeding, sometimes clots.
- Pelvic pain.
- Pelvic pressure or heaviness caused by the bulk or weight of the fibroids pressing on nearby structures.
- Pain in the back or legs as the fibroids press on nerves that supply the pelvis and legs.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
- Bladder pressure leading to a constant urge to urinate.
- Pressure on the bowel, leading to constipation and bloating.
- Abnormally enlarged abdomen.
Who is most likely to have fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are very common, although often they are very small and cause
no problems. From 20-40 percent of women age 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. Fibroid tumors may start in women when they are in their
20's, however, most women do not begin to have symptoms until they are in their late
30's or 40's. Physicians are not able to predict if a fibroid will grow or
cause symptoms.
How are uterine fibroids diagnosed?
Typically, fibroids are first diagnosed during a gynecologic internal
examination. Your doctor will conduct a pelvic exam to feel if your uterus is
enlarged. The presence of fibroids is most often confirmed by an abdominal
ultrasound. Fibroids also can be confirmed using magnetic resonance (MR) and
computed tomography (CT) imaging techniques.
How can California Imaging Institute help me?
The Interventional Radiologists at California Imaging Institute use a
non-surgical treatment that causes the fibroid to shrink. This treatment is known
as uterine fibroid embolization.
This approach to the treatment of fibroids blocks the arteries that supply blood
to the fibroids causing them to shrink. It is a minimally-invasive procedure,
which means it requires only a tiny nick in the skin, and is performed while the
patient is conscious but sedated-drowsy and feeling no pain.
Expected Results
Fibroid embolization usually requires a hospital stay of one night. Pain-killing
medications and drugs that control swelling typically are prescribed following the
procedure to treat cramping and pain. Many women resume light activities in a few
days and the majority of women are able to return to normal activities within seven
to 10 days.
For more information please call the California Imaging Institute at 559.325.5800.
To learn more, please visit the Society of Interventional Radiology at
www.SIRweb.org.
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