Uterine Artery Embolization for Uterine Fibroids
Uterine artery embolization (UAE), also called
uterine fibroid embolization, is a less invasive
treatment for uterine fibroids performed by an
interventional radiologist. As an alternative
to hysterectomy, uterine artery embolization
(or vessel blockage) offers several advantages.
The procedure preserves a woman's uterus, maintains
her hormonal cycles, and requires far less recovery
time.
Uterine artery embolization cuts off blood supply
to the fibroid tumors by delivering small, sand-like
particles through a catheter that is inserted
into the blood vessels feeding the tumor. Once
the blood supply to the fibroids is blocked,
the fibroids die and shrink over the next several
weeks and months.
How common are uterine fibroids?
Approximately one out of every four premenopausal women suffer from fibroids.
Fibroids are three times more common in African-American women than Caucasian
women. Fibroids may occur at any age, but are most common in women over the
age of 40 years. After menopause, fibroids usually shrink in size due to
the lack of estrogen.
What causes uterine fibroids?
The exact cause of fibroids is unknown, however estrogen may affect the formation
of fibroids. Fibroids usually worsen as a woman enters her 30s and 40s and
then, when estrogen levels drop at menopause, fibroids may shrink.
Is uterine artery embolization successful?
Uterine artery embolization is a very effective procedure with a success rate
greater than 85 percent. Most women who undergo UAE have a dramatic improvement
in their symptoms such as pain and pressure due to a decrease in size of
their uterine fibroids. Heavy menstrual flow will usually return to a more
normal flow after UAE.
Results from a recent multicenter trial, in
which the University of Pennsylvania Health System
participated, compared UAE to myomectomy, the
surgical removal of fibroids from the uterus,
in which the uterus remains intact. In the study,
UAE patients needed fewer days in the hospital
and fewer days away from work than patients who
had a myomectomy. In addition, UAE patients had
significantly fewer complications than patients
who had a myomectomy.
For more information:
Reviewed by: Richard
Shlansky-Goldberg, MD, Jeffrey
A. Solomon, MD, MBA and Catherine
M. Tuite, MD
Last Updated: June 2004
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