Uterine myomas (fibroids)
Uterine myomas (fibroids) are benign tumors seen in one out of 3 women of childbearing age. According to their localization in the uterus, they can cause complaints such as increased menstruation, anemia, pain, bloating and frequent urination. If the myomas are causing these complaints or showing growth, they usually need to be treated.
Surgical treatment options include hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and myomectomy (removal of fibroids). However, histerectomy may cause a severe (surgical ) menapause, increases the risks of coronary heart disease, osteoporosis and depression. Likewise, myomectomy is associated with an increased risk of myoma recurrence and unplanned histerectomy during the operation. For these reasons, alternative treatment methods have been developed. Among these, the most common and well-known is the embolization of uterine fibroids (UFE). In embolization, the arteries supplying the fibroidsare clogged with small particles with a procedure similar to coronary angiography. The myomas (fibroids) die when their feeding arteries are blocked, whereas the normal uterine tissue is preserved. The advantages of embolization are the low risk of recurrence of the fibroids, preservation of uterus, being minimally invasive early return to normal life after the treatment.
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Click for more information about uterine embolization and non-surgical treatment of uterine fibroids
Interventional oncology in cancer management
Prof Saim Yilmaz, MD