Uterine Artery Embolization
Marin General Hospital’s interventional radiologists are offering a safe alternative for women considering hysterectomies due to fibroids or benign uterine tumors. Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE), a non-surgical procedure, literally starves the tumor of its blood supply using a catheter placed through the groin and tiny plastic beads inserted into the artery.
“This procedure can be an alternative to hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus,” said Dr. Chad Goodman, an interventional radiologist on staff at the hospital. “I think UAE gives patients an adequate option if they’re not interested in surgery.” According to the Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, from 20 to 40 percent of women age 30 to 50 have uterine fibroids of significant size. These tumors can cause pelvic pain, increase menstrual cramps and bleeding, bloating, irregular or painful periods, constipation and increase urinary frequency. Some 600,000 women had hysterectomies last year across the United States and one-third of those surgeries were for benign fibroids. “UAE is safe and has far less complications,” said Goodman. “It’s a minimally invasive procedure and the recovery time is quick. Most women are up and about in a week. With a hysterectomy, it’s six weeks.” Interventional radiologists specialize in procedures that can replace surgery through cutting a tiny hole in the skin and using x-ray guidance. |
