Hormonal Treatment Options-BCP and Lupron
Treats symptoms only by hormone manipulation
Advantages
- temporarily reduces bleeding.
Disadvantages
- Only treats bleeding symptoms
- Has very little effect on tumor size
D&C
Treats symptoms only by removing the uterine lining
Advantages
- To reduce bleeding symptoms temporarily.
Disadvantages
- Does nothing to actually treat growing tumor
ABLATION
Rollerball or balloon burning of endometrial lining
Advantages
- Reduces bleeding
Disadvantages
- Treats symptoms only, bleeding can reoccur if procedure is incomplete.
- Does not treat tumors.
- Gives patient false sense of resolution because bleeding may be gone but tumors continue to grow
Uterine Artery Embolization/Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Mechanical blockage of the uterine artery by using pellets that block circulation to growing tumors.
Advantages
- Can be effective for smaller, single tumors
- Minimally invasive
Disadvantages
- Not effective for larger or multiple fibroids.
- Blood supply can be re-established and tumors can begin to grow again.
- Body cannot absorb larger decaying tumor(s) and sepsis may occur.
- Blood flow may be blocked to healthy uterine muscle, producing damage to uterus.
- Complication of fibroid becoming malignant
- Not recommended if considering fertility
- Does not actually remove the tumors from the body
MRI guided High Frequency Ultrasonic Ablation
Destruction of fibroids via focused ultrasonic heat while patient is in MRI for guided location of tumors.
Advantages
- Minimally invasive
- Can work for smaller, single tumors
Disadvantages
- Tumors not removed from body
- Chance of post procedure sepsis if tumor is not absorbed.
- Increased chance of malignancy.
- Not recommended if considering fertility
MYOMECTOMY
Surgical excision of fibroid tumors
- Open technique-Laparotomy
- Can be effective at removing multiple tumors.
Advantages
- More tumor accessibility
Disadvantages
- Blood loss potential with larger/deeper fibroids
- High recurrence rates
- High incidence of hysterectomy
- Longer recovery -4-6 weeks
Laparoscopy
For smaller tumors or tumors on the exterior of the uterus
Advantages
- Minimally invasive, faster recovery
Disadvantages
- Does not address deeper, larger tumors, due to difficulty with controlling blood loss
Robotic Approach
Minimally invasive 3D high definition approach to removing fibroids.
Advantages
- minimally invasive, with better access and exposure than laparoscopy.
Disadvantages
- difficulty accessing larger tumors due to lack of exposure and controlling blood loss
HYSTERECTOMY
Complete removal of the uterus.
Advantages
- Will resolve fibroid tumor disease.
Disadvantages
- Irreversible procedure with potential for multiple complications/side effects
- Hormone imbalance
- Sexual dysfunction
- Bladder incontinence
- Permanent constipation
FAS
Surgical removing of any/all fibroid tumors regardless of size, number or location without hysterectomy or blood transfusion.
Advantages
- Allows the patient to holistically/naturally progress through life cycle without immediate surgical menopause.
- Can remove tumors ANY size, number or location, preventing future surgery
- Laser assistance prevents damage to surrounding healthy uterine muscle.
- Ability to treat any other benign female Disease at the time of surgery: Fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, Ovarian cysts, uterine prolapse, adhesions. Abdominal wall abnormalities/hernias.
Disadvantages
- Open procedure
- 4-6 week recovery
If you have any questions pertaining to the above referenced treatments, please call our office directly at 800-505-4326 or fill out the form below and we will be in touch with you very soon.
