Ever wondered if your fibroids were capable of becoming malignant? Read on to learn more about fibroids and whether you should bother to worry if your fibroids are malignant.
I have heard that fibroids are benign, but are they ever capable of becoming malignant?
Fibroids cannot become malignant. A fibroid is benign by definition and will always remain that way. Although fibroids do have the potential to cause problems if they grow especially large, most women manage to live with their fibroids fairly well and never have any trouble with them. In fact, many women—even some who have really large fibroids— aren’t even aware they have them.
On the other hand, a leiomyosarcoma is a uterine tumor which is a very rare cancer. Only 1-2% of women ever experience leiomyosarcoma. Some mistake this tumor for the fibroid itself and think that the fibroids have the ability to turn into this kind of tumor; however, this is not true. They arise separately from an existing fibroid.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to tell a benign fibroid from a malignant tumor without surgery. Imaging tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, cannot reliably distinguish these tumors. Additionally, blood tests are incapable of detecting them as well. By history, they are often suspected when a presumed fibroid grows very rapidly. However, the majority of rapidly growing fibroids are, just that, benign fibroids
Learn whether natural treatments are available and successful in treatment fibroid tumors in woman.
I have fibroids and I don’t want to have any type of procedure done on me. Is it possible for me to take a more natural treatment route?
Physicians are starting to evaluate ways to treat fibroid tumors without surgery. Uterine Fibroid Embolization is one of the leading methods of fibroid removal with out having to “go under the knife”. The procedure is effective, the results are great and best of all – you’re not stuck with a 6 to 8 week recovery! Patients that undergo UAE are often very satisfied with the fact that they have little side effects related to the treatment and they can be back to their daily routine in as little as 5 to 7 days.
However, you stated that you are looking for a ‘natural’ treatment for fibroids. To date, there is no research that supports the idea that natural methods of treatment work to reduce or eradicate fibroids. Yet, several scientific studies are underway to test a new drug treatment that shrinks fibroids. The drug is called Lupron and is a synthetic form of the naturally occurring substance known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (also called GnRH). Drawbacks of this drug include the fact that is has to be taken regularly and women may have to inject themselves. Furthermore, once treatment stops, the tumors grow back rapidly. At any rate, studies of the drug’s side effects and long-term consequences are still continuing.
At the Fibroid Treatment Collective, we understand that dealing with fibroids can be an emotionally and physically draining process. Give us a call at 866-362-6463 or request a free phone consultation so that we can provide you with useful resources regarding fibroid treatment alternatives. FTC is dedicated to helping you make positive choices for your health, so give us a call today!
Had the procedure and wondering what the time line is for a decreased size in fibroids? Read here to find out more about post-embo and your shrinking fibroids.
After the procedure, the embolized fibroid immediately loses its supply of oxygen, blood, and nutrients. Because of this, over the subsequent weeks and months, individual muscle cells in the fibroid die off and are replaced by scar tissue. This process, however occurs gradually, and is not an instantaneous occurrence. Because the individual cells die off one at a time, there is no large mass of dead tissue in the body.
Eventually, the fibroid is replaced by scar tissue. This scar tissue is about half as big as the original fibroid, or perhaps slightly smaller. Because scar tissue does not respond to hormonal stimulation as fibroids do, the normal menstrual cycle no longer causes growth and you can expect to experience lighter periods, less pain, and less pressure. Most women are able to witness lessened symptoms almost immediately.
You can expect to meet with your OB-GYN 1 week, 6 months, and year after the procedure so that he/she can track the progress of your fibroids. In most cases, women find that the procedure successfully decreased the size of their fibroids and they are able to experience a life with out the burden of fibroid symptoms!
Learn more about how UFE may be able to improve your quality of life. Give us a call at (866) 479-1523 or contact us online.
Wondering if your symptoms are related to fibroids and want to know how to make sure? Read on to find out how.
I seem to be having some of the symptoms of fibroids, but I’m not sure if they are really fibroids. How can I know for sure?
If you feel that you may have symptoms related to the presence of fibroids, visit your gynecologist (see Fibroid Symptoms). A fibroid is usually discovered during a pelvic examination. Many times, however, fibroids are only discovered while a physician is looking for something else—or simply are not discovered at all. If you feel that your symptoms may be due to the fibroids, it would be a good idea to see your gynecologist and notify him or her of your concerns.
Ultrasound scanning enables physicians to distinguish these tumors. This diagnostic procedure can confirm the presence of fibroids when a woman has symptoms that raise suspicion of the tumors. However, because certain types of fibroids look similar to ovarian tumors, and the fibrous tissue can interfere with the sound waves, the ultrasound reading can be inaccurate. In this case, physicians may sometimes suggest a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI is a standard imaging technique for evaluating fibroids because it provides a clearer image than ultrasound and can detect other causes of pelvic pain and/or bleeding you may be experiencing.
If you feel that you are experiencing fibroid-related symptoms and would like to learn about what steps you can take to find out if the fibroid actually exists, please feel free to contact the Fibroid Treatment Collective at 866-362-6463 or request a free phone consultation. We are always more than happy to provide you with useful resources and help you make positive choices for your health!
Find out about the history of Uterine Artery Embolization and how Dr. McLucas was instrumental in its initial use in the United States!
Are UAE and UFE the same thing? And how long has the procedure been around?
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) and Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) are two names for the same procedure and can be used interchangeably. Since the actual procedure entails the blocking or “embolization” of the uterine artery, UAE is probably a more appropriate term.
Embolization of the uterine artery has been used as a treatment for severe uterine bleeding during surgery or childbirth for some time. However, this procedure was initially used in fibroid patients as a method of decreasing the blood loss that occurs during myomectomy, but it was later discovered that after the embolization, many patient’s symptoms went away and surgery was no longer needed.
After making this stark discovering, UAE was then used as a treatment specifically for fibroids in France in the early 1990’s and Dr. Bruce McLucas was the first person to pioneer the use of this procedure for fibroid treatment in the United States in 1995.
I seem to be having some of the symptoms of fibroids, but I’m not sure if they are really fibroids. How can I know for sure?
If you feel that you may have symptoms related to the presence of fibroids, visit your gynecologist (see Fibroid Symptoms). A fibroid is usually discovered during a pelvic examination. Many times, however, fibroids are only discovered while a physician is looking for something else—or simply are not discovered at all. If you feel that your symptoms may be due to the fibroids, it would be a good idea to see your gynecologist and notify him or her of your concerns.
Ultrasound scanning enables physicians to distinguish these tumors. This diagnostic procedure can confirm the presence of fibroids when a woman has symptoms that raise suspicion of the tumors. However, because certain types of fibroids look similar to ovarian tumors, and the fibrous tissue can interfere with the sound waves, the ultrasound reading can be inaccurate. In this case, physicians may sometimes suggest a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI is a standard imaging technique for evaluating fibroids because it provides a clearer image than ultrasound and can detect other causes of pelvic pain and/or bleeding you may be experiencing.
If you feel that you are experiencing fibroid-related symptoms and would like to learn about what steps you can take to find out if the fibroid actually exists, please feel free to contact the Fibroid Treatment Collective at 866-362-6463 or request a free phone consultation. We are always more than happy to provide you with useful resources and help you make positive choices for your health!
Don’t let fibroids cramp your style! Read on to find out how UAE may be able to help even after menopause.
Do I need to treat my fibroids if I already started menopause?
The answer to this question is often based on your personal decision. In most situations, fibroids shrink after menopause, so many women find no need to have a procedure done. However, if you are experiencing bothersome symptoms, then it might be a good idea to consult your OB-GYN. Sometimes, women experience symptoms even after menopause, leading them to look into treatment options.
Talk with your doctor about these options. Have him/her explain why one or the other is best for you based on your body, age and health. Then strongly consider having it treated if you feel that it is impeding on your quality of life. If your doctor doesn’t explain these options or what they think is best, it might be helpful to get a second opinion.
Many women see Uterine Fibroid Embolization as an optimal treatment procedure due to the fact that it is less-invasive than surgical treatment methods and it allows patients to return to their daily activities within a week! The procedure is safe, effective, and quick and women often feel symptoms relief almost immediately after the procedure.
If you would like to find out more about UAE or you would like to get some questions answered, please call us at 866-362-6463. You may also Contact Us Online or Chat LIVE, 7 days a week, with one of the our health professionals at the Fibroid Treatment Collective!
Look inside to find a quick synopsis of the UAE procedure and the imaging used during the process.
Is an ultrasound used to find the uterine artery during the procedure? Have there been any cases where the PVA particles went to the wrong place?
An ultrasound is not used during fibroid embolization. The ultrasound that you are referring to is done before the embolization procedure. The patient undergoes complete pelvic imaging, either ultrasound or MRI, to measure the size of the uterus and to look for any other conditions that might be affecting their health.
During the procedure, however, the first step in embolization requires a very small incision, about the size of a freckle, which is made in your upper thigh. This is done so that a tiny catheter can be inserted through this incision and into the femoral artery. Using x-ray guidance, a trained physician locates the feeder vessels which supply blood to each fibroid. Microscopic inert particles are injected into the vessels, blocking blood supply that nourishes the fibroid. Without a steady blood supply, the fibroids begin to dwindle and shrink. You can see the procedure performed live on our site at The Embolization Solution: See It Work.
Because physicians are able to use x-ray guidance to locate the exact vessels which supply the fibroids, PVA particles are kept from going to the wrong place. Thus far we are unaware of particles escaping into the bloodstream and creating embolisms elsewhere.
African American women are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with fibroids than other races. Read on to find out what is being said and how to find out if you have fibroids too.
I heard that black women have a higher chance of getting fibroids, is that true? If so, how can I find out if I have fibroids?
For black women, uterine fibroids can pose as quite a burden. They occur more often than in their white counterparts, develop sooner and grow larger. Estimates show that fibroids will bring on numerous complications in half of all black women by age 50, compared to 30% of white women. Although rare in most women under the age of 20, some women do experience symptoms. Fibroids, however, are most common in women in their 30s and 40s, and tend to shrink after the menopause. The reason as to why black women are more at risk for fibroids is unknown; additional research must be carried out to find this answer.
Uterine fibroids are growths that commonly develop in the uterus, many times without causing any symptoms that would make a woman aware that they are present. But for some, fibroids can cause discomfort and heavy vaginal bleeding. Further, some fibroids attached to the uterus by a stalk which can get twisted, causing pain and fever.
There are a number of symptoms that can point a woman in the direction of knowing that she has uterine fibroids. If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to bring them to the attention of your OB-GYN:
• Heavy periods—bleeding that lasts longer and is more frequent than what you’re used to seeing
• Bleeding between periods
• Pain in your back or abdomen
• Difficulty eliminating, either during urination or bowel movements
• Pain during sex—Fibroids that press on the cervix or hang through the cervix into the vagina can make penetrative sex painful and cause bleeding during sex
If you believe that you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we advise that you consult your OB-GYN. You can also give the Fibroid Treatment Collective a call at 866-362-6463 or Contact Us Online. We will be more than happy to answer any of your questions and/or help you find medical alternatives if you have been diagnosed with fibroids.
Did you know that a large percentage of women, like you, bear the burden of dealing with uterine fibroids? Continue reading to find out more facts about fibroids and the embolization procedure.
Fibroids stand as a leading problem for a large portion of women. Up to 40 percent of women age 35 and older have uterine fibroids of a significant size. Furthermore, African-American women are at an even greater risk of being affected by fibroids, in which as many as 50 percent of black women have fibroids of a significant size.
Fibroid tumors may start in women when they are in their 20’s, however, most women do not begin to have symptoms until they are in their late 30’s or 40’s. In most cases, physicians are not able to predict if a fibroid will grow or cause symptoms.
Although the exact cause for fibroid development is still unclear, studies have shown that most of the women affected by fibroids are in their childbearing years. Also, African Americans develop fibroids more often and at a younger age than women of other ethnic groups.
Due to the alarming number of women that are affected by fibroids, the Fibroid Treatment Collective offers “Top 10 Things Women Should Know About Fibroids.”
1. Uterine fibroids can affect women of all ages, but are most common in women ages 40 to 50.
2. Depending on size, location and number of fibroids, common symptoms include:
Pelvic pain and pressure
Excessive bleeding, including prolonged periods and passage of clots, which can lead to anemia.
Abdominal swelling
Pressure on the bladder, leading to frequent urination
Pressure on the bowel, leading to constipation and bloating
Infertility
3. No one is sure why women develop fibroids which affect 40% of women over 35 years in America and have a high rate of incidence among African Americans. There is a possible link between uterine fibroid tumors and estrogen production.
4. Fibroids are diagnosed with an ultrasound in their gynecologist’s office. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is also used to determine how fibroids can be treated and provide information about any underlying disease.
5. Uterine fibroids can be treated with surgery, including hysterectomy, which removes the entire uterus, and myomectomy, which removes the fibroids but leaves the uterus. Both are major surgeries.
6. Approximately 600,000 hysterectomies are performed annually in the United States, about 300,000 due to uterine fibroids.
7. Over 50 percent of women who get hysterectomies have their ovaries removed, rendering them infertile.
8. Embolization has emerged as the safest, simplest, cost effective way to treat fibroids. Embolization requires a very small incision. Embolization basically cures fibroids by starving them.
10. Recurrence after embolization has not occurred. This is one of its major advantages over myomectomy, where fibroids which have been surgically removed often grow back.
If you have been diagnosed with fibroids or want to find out more information about fibroids and the embolization procedure, we invite you to email us at patientcoordinator@fibroids.com
or give us a call at 866-362-6463. You can also learn more by participating in our live chat Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST.
