Uterine Fibroids and Fibroid Embolization

Nonsurgical Treatment of Uterine Fibroids

Vascular and
Interventional Radiology

Do You Have Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus that cause symptoms such as pain and heavy bleeding for some women. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is an approved, non-surgical treatment that may be a better option for many women with uterine fibroids than conventional treatments that remove the uterus (hysterectomy) or scrape or burn the fibroids in the uterus (myomectomy). If you would like to avoid the removal of your uterus or other surgery that requires a lengthy recovery, you've come to the right place.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a nonsurgical procedure that has been performed in thousands of women. It has been shown in clinical trials to be a safe and effective technique for the removal of uterine fibroids and is a less invasive and safer alternative to surgical options. UFE is performed by interventional radiologists, physicians who perform procedures using tiny instruments that are threaded through the blood vessels and guided by X-rays.

Illustration of Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Unlike surgery, UFE does not require general anesthesia, stitches, scarring, blood loss, removal of the uterus or burning or scraping of the uterine lining. There is a much more rapid return to normal function after UFE than after open surgery.

News Update
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice Bulletin of August 2008 states that there is "Level A" evidence [scientifically solid proof] that "based on long and short-term outcomes, uterine artery embolization [UFE] is a safe and effective option for appropriately selected women who wish to retain their uteri." We at drfibroid.com congratulate our colleagues at ACOG on their official recognition of the value of this minimally invasive procedure.

UFE is an Approved Fibroid Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of embolizing particles to treat fibroid tumors with UFE. FDA statement

Our Experience

Vascular and Interventional Radiologists, practicing in the Chicago suburbs, are specialists in uterine fibroid embolization. Our main office is in Hinsdale, Illinois, and we have many other locations. Our team consists of board certified interventional radiologists.

Our physicians pioneered the procedure in their area. They were among the first physicians in the U.S. to receive special training in UFE, and were the first to perform UFE procedures in the Midwest.

LaGrange Memorial Hospital was chosen as a core site to participate in a study of over 3,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe treated with UFE for uterine fibroids. Our own Dr. Steven Smith was a core investigator in the study, the largest of its kind in the world. The study was sponsored by the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Research and Education Foundation (CIRREF) and the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), in cooperation with the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI). Results of this study (link to PubMed)

Read Dr. Smith's article about uterine fibroids, published in American Family Physician.

Caring for Women

Deciding which is the best option for treating your uterine fibroids can be a difficult decision. Our experienced nurses are experts in all treatment options, including uterine fibroid embolization, and have consulted with many women like you to help them understand and weigh all their options.

Starting with your initial call to schedule an appointment, your nuse will continue to be a caring and attentive advocate who remains in close contact with you through all the stages of diagnosis, treatment and follow up. Schedule a consultation online.

In the News

See a news video about how our doctors performed the first ever successful UFE on a gorilla.

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Vascular and Interventional Radiology
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