According to the FDA, uterine fibroids are tumors that grow in the muscular wall of a woman's uterus. They either grow from the uterine wall into the womb or out into the body cavity. Fibroids are common and there is no known cause. Fibroid tumors are rarely cancerous. Treatment depends on the woman's age, symptoms, desire for children and size of the fibroid.
Stopping the Blood Supply
The Society of Interventional Radiology reports that fibroid tumors require blood to continue growing. Uterine Fibroid Embolization is a procedure in which tiny plastic particles are released into the artery that supplies blood to the fibroid. A surgeon makes an incision in the femoral artery and inserts the tube containing the particles. The tube is maneuvered to the fibroid's main supply artery. This cuts off the fibroid's blood supply, and the tumor shrinks and dies. This minimally invasive procedure is successful in 85 to 90 percent of cases.
Destruction by Heat
The Society of Interventional Radiology also states that fibroids can be destroyed by heat. Focused sound waves heat fibroid tissues to destroy them. An ultrasound transducer creates the focused sound waves. The transducer is guided by a real-time magnetic resonance imaging device (MRI). The MRI creates three-dimensional images of the fibroids. This allows the physician to accurately target the tumors and monitor their temperature. When a tumor is destroyed by heat, recurrence is rare.
Surgical Removal of Fibroids
Myomectomy is the surgical removal of uterine fibroids. This option often is recommended for women who want to bear children. There are three basic ways to perform a myomectomy. If the fibroids are small and are located outside the uterus, a laparoscope is inserted through the abdomen to perform the surgery. If the fibroids are located inside the uterus, a hysteroscope is inserted into the uterus through the vagina so the surgeon can see and remove the fibroids. If the fibroids are large or numerous, an open abdominal surgery is preferred. Fibroids may grow back if removed by myomectomy.
Surgical Removal of the Uterus
A total removal of the uterus, a hysterectomy, is the only permanent method for eliminating fibroids. If there is extensive bleeding and large tumors or numerous fibroids, a hysterectomy is the preferred method of removing them. This surgery can be done vaginally or abdominally. The vaginal hysterectomy is less stressful and safer than abdominal surgery. However, a hysterectomy is a major surgery that requires a hospital stay and substantial recovery time.
