Understanding Uterine Fibroids: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Minimally Invasive Treatment Options

Understanding Uterine Fibroids: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Minimally Invasive Treatment Options

Uterine fibroids, also medically known as Myomas or Leiomyomas, are benign tumours arising in the uterus and are very common in women of childbearing age. These growths, which start in the walls of the uterus or on its surface, are made of muscle and tissue. These growths are usually not cancerous (benign) and are the most common tumours other than cancerous types in women. Pain and heavy, irregular vaginal bleeding are only two of the symptoms that are usually brought on by uterine fibroids. A person can, at times, remain symptomless and unaware that they have fibroids. Here is the detailed information you should know.

What are Uterine Fibroids?

Fibroids can develop in clusters or as a single nodule or one growth. Fibroid clusters can have a diameter of 1 millimetre to more than 20 centimetres (8 inches) or even greater. Based on where they are located in the uterus, fibroids are categorised as follows:

• Submucosal Fibroids: These fibroids develop behind the lining of the uterus.
• Intramural Fibroids:These fibroids are entrenched in your uterus’ muscular wall. They are the most common type.
• Subserosal Fibroids:This type of fibroid grows exactly under the innermost lining of your uterus. They can grow into your pelvis and become quite large.
• Pedunculated Fibroids:These are the least common kinds of fibroids and have a stalk or stem that connects to your uterus. They are often likened to mushrooms because they have a stalk and a broader top.

Common Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

Many women with fibroids experience no symptoms, and the fibroids are often discovered incidentally during a pelvic exam or prenatal ultrasound. However, when symptoms do occur, they can range from mild to severe and may include the following:

• Excessive bleeding during menstruation can lead to anaemia.
• Heavy or excessive bleeding when you’re menstruating. Bleeding in between the cycles.
• A feeling of fullness or pressure in the lower abdomen.
• Pressure on the bladder can cause a frequent need to urinate.
• An obstructed flow of urine due to pressure on the bladder.
• Pressure on the rectum can cause difficulty with bowel movements.
• Pain during intercourse.
• Lower back pain.
• Persistent (chronic) vaginal discharge.

Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are often identified during a pelvic examination. A number of tests are available to identify fibroids and ascertain their location and size. These tests might consist of:

• Ultrasound: An imaging test utilising sound waves to create a picture of the uterus to confirm the presence of fibroids.
• Computed Tomography (CT) scan:A CT scan is a method to get an overall picture of your internal organs from many different angles using data from X-rays.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):It shows a clearer image of the size and location of the fibroids.
• Hysterosonography:Saline is injected into the uterine cavity in order for it to have a better view on ultrasound.
• Hysterosalpingography:A special type of X-ray in which dye fills the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes.
• Hysteroscopy: A procedure where a thin, lighted telescope, called a hysteroscope, passes through the cervix, providing views inside the uterus.
• Laparoscopy:This test will involve the doctor making a small cut in your lower abdomen. Then, he will insert a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end down below to see the inside organs.

What is the Treatment for Uterine Fibroids?

The treatment for uterine fibroids varies based on their size, number, location, and the problems they are causing. The type of conventional treatment methods will include medication and hormone therapy and surgical procedures like Myomectomy, wherein the fibroids are removed or Hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus.

However, because they are effective and have a shorter recovery period and fewer consequences, minimally invasive therapies are becoming more and more popular. One such option is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE).

Also referred to as uterine artery embolisation, UFE is an interventional radiology technique directed at reducing fibroids in size, which finally ends with their death due to a severe lack of blood supply. This procedure involves the following stages and is performed by an interventional radiologist:

• A small incision in the groyne or wrist to access the femoral or radial artery.
• Insertion of the catheter through the blood vessels into the uterine arteries
• Tiny particles are carefully injected through the catheter into the blood vessels supplying the fibroids. These particles block the essential blood supply to the fibroids.
• Deprived of blood, the fibroids gradually shrink, and symptoms often decrease over a period of a few weeks to several months.

Benefits of Uterine Fibroid Embolisation Compared to Traditional Surgical Options

There are a number of significant advantages associated with UFE over traditional surgical methods:

• Minimally Invasive: Uterine artery embolisation is a minimally invasive procedure that eliminates the risk of infection and complications.
• Shorter Recovery Time: After two weeks of UFE, the majority of women resume their usual activities. In contrast to most surgical procedures, recovery from uterine fibroids embolisation occurs extraordinarily quickly. Women undergoing Myomectomy should anticipate recovering between two to six weeks compared to hysterectomy patients, where patients can take six weeks to recover.
• Preservation of the Uterus: Unlike Hysterectomy, UFE does not remove the uterus; thus, this option can be vital to women who want to keep their fertility intact or who would rather avoid severe surgery.
• Symptom Relief: One of the best advantages of uterine artery embolisation is the reduction in pelvic pain, pressure, and excessive bleeding associated with fibroids. Uterine artery embolisation may reduce fibroids by cutting off their blood supply, thus reducing symptoms.
• High Success Rate: Uterine fibroid embolisation is a tested, effective form of treatment. It is approximated that roughly 94% of patients experience a decline in their fibroids by 50–60% due to the procedure.
• Lower Risk of Recurrence: While there is a risk attached to any form of treatment, with the UFE procedure, there is no risk or danger attached to the procedure because it is not carried out under total general anaesthesia. Moreover, the postoperative risks of heavy bleeding or pelvic infection after the UFE are considerably lower compared to the risks of Hysterectomy or Myomectomy.

Other Minimally Invasive Options

Other minimally invasive treatment options for uterine fibroids, apart from UFE, are as follows:

• MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (FUS): Uses high-intensity ultrasound waves to heat and destroy fibroid tissue.
• Laparoscopic or Robotic Myomectomy: Minimally invasive surgical techniques remove fibroids while preserving the uterus.
• Endometrial Ablation: It destroys the lining of the uterus to reduce menstrual bleeding; however, it is not suitable for women who want to get pregnant.

Choose Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, for Effective Treatment & Management of Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are a common gynecologic problem and can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life. Minimally invasive treatments at Apollo such as Uterine Fibroid Embolisation, compared to conventional surgical management, provide great symptomatic relief with reduced risks and shorter recovery times. Interventional radiology advances like these in the management of uterine fibroids reiterate individual care with more choices besides better outcomes and quality of life for the woman.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization done by interventional radiologists at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, has been optimally performed with state-of-the-art imaging technology to provide precision and safety. This minimally invasive treatment reduces fibroid size, thereby alleviating symptoms in patients, returning them back to normal activities quickly with minimal discomfort, and allowing a potential return to daily routine much faster than possible through traditional surgeries.