Fibroid Tumors

Hello,
I am from Ontario, Canada. I was diagnosed with Fibroid tumors 6 years ago, at the time there was only 2 found. Noone has bothered to monitor or to try and do anything about them, now the pain has got to the point where some days I can’t even get out of bed. I went to another doctor 1 month ago and they did a abdomen as well as an internal ultrasound. The results were not nice, they now say I have so many tumors they can’t give me a number of how many. I am to see a specialist in 10 days to schedule a hysterectomy, they say this is the only way the pain will go away. My menstraul cycles last longer than it goes away and I have such a heavy flow I cannot go to work alot of the time. Do you have any suggestions for me before I have this histerectomy done?

Dear Wanda-
These emails are very sad for our program…In Canada we know your options are limited. You will probably not find a doctor willing to even try to save your uterus. We have operated on patients from Canada who came all the way here for our program..in order to save their uterus.
This is a classic example of why we tell patients do NOT follow the “wait and see” philosophy..fibroid tumor disease only gets WORSE. If the initial tumors are removed…the spread of the disease is greatly minimized and hysterectomy can be avoided. Once the disease is allowed to spread..and the tumors increase in size and number, most gyns are not capable or willing to remove them without a hysterectomy.
We recommend you get several opinions, but chances are you will not find a physician willing to preserve your organs.
I know we can help you here in Los Angeles…give my office a call if you are interested.

Dear Doctor,

I have fibroid tumors and the doctor says that he will check me in a few more months again. My question today stems from the fact that my father was diagnosed with cancer in January 1999 and passed away from lung cancer with brain metastis in September of 1999. His oncologist suggested that every one of us should watch ourselves very carefully.
I was checked a couple times, this last time was mid January of 2003, first time was June 2000. I really don’t know exactly what kind of tumor I have (location wise). But I was wondering with a history of cancer,should I seriously consider taking action with these tumors that are inside me? They do cause severe abdominal pain during my menstrual cycle. I have to take 3 Ibuprofen and 2 Tylenol at one setting to try to alleviate the pain. As of December 2002, I have not had a period, but the pain still comes at certain times of the month. This irregularity occurred previously in June of 2000 when they initially found the tumors.
I will be 45 in July of 2003 and my pap test came out just fine.
What do you think doctor, should I pursue anything immediately or check back with my doctor and wait for a few months?
Sincerely, Tamara

Dear Tamara-
I would not delay in getting treatment…the symptoms will only get worse.
Fibroids are benign tumors….Since this program opened 7 years ago, I have never seen a cancerous fibroid. They are extremely rare…
Your severe pain with your cycles may be associated with adenomyosis…which is a form of endometriosis. This needs to be treated immediately….it spreads into the uterus with every cycle. Most gyns will recommend hysterectomy..we do not advocate that.
Again, adeno is a benign disease. It can be laser removed while preserving the uterus for normal hormone balance and natural sexual response. Our FAS program has been extremely successful with this disease.
I know we could eliminate your symptoms…..give my office a call if you are interested.

Dear Dr. del Junco Jr.,

I have a very large (cantalope size) fibroid tumor. Just one, but a big one. I have had Uterine embolization 5 years ago. Afterward, the tumor went up and down in size with my hormones for a while, and has settled on staying big for a year now. I am 50 and I am in menopause, and have not had a period in almost 2 years. I have no bleeding whatsoever.
Please tell me your opinion of trying hydroxygen as a detoxification and do you think it could help shrink this tumor? Also, what about Lupron to shrink the tumor? Would it just get big again afterwards? Lupron worked really well before the embolization, but the tumor grew as soon as I stopped it.

Dear Austin-
Your case is a classic reason why we do not advocate UAE-Uterine Artery Embolization. Many women are convinced that that surgery will take care of their fibroid problems..this is not usually the case. We just operated on a 45 year old, who tried UAE 4 years ago. Her tumors had continued to grow ..we have seen several patients, post UAE
In your case, your tumor should not continue to grow much more. These tumors are strictly fed with estrogen..if you are in menopause, and NOT taking any hormone replacement therapy, the tumors should not grow. The purpose of Lupron is to shut down your ovaries and reduce your estrogen flow…mother nature has already done that for you. The fibroid may shrink slightly over time, but tumors that large dont change too much; They remain as solid masses in the pelvis. We recommend removing fibroids for this exact reason…even if cycles have stopped, carrying around large tumors for the rest of your life can be uncomfortable..many women still experience urinary frequency, back pain and discomfort with sexual intercourse.
You may have to live with your tumor that size, unless you elect to have it removed.

Dear Dr. del Junco Jr.,

I went for a yearly exam the other day and my doctor found a 2 inch fibroid. I had an ultrasound done yesterday. He wants to monitor this and wants me to try taking the pill again. My concern is that I just read that estrogen can increase the size of these fibroids. I am 39 and have had my tubes tied for 15 years now. Should I worry about this? Besides making my cycles more regular and possibly helping my cramping, is this something I should try? It sounds like I will eventually have to have the thing removed. I have experienced fatigue, constant urination, problems with my bowels and back pain and the thing is only 2 inches!! Thank you for your response.

Dear Lori-
We dont recommend this “bandaid” approach…your doctor is treating your symptoms….not your disease.
Fibroids need to be surgically removed..they grow with every menstrual cycle. Based on your email…you probably have more than one 2 inch fibroid. Fibroids that small would not produce your other symptoms.
Most of our patients come to the consultation with an ultrasound report…we have not seen one accurate study yet. Those tests are very nonspecfic…often indicating 5 maybe 6 tumors..we are removing an average of 22 tumors per patient and have taken over 138 from one patient!! These results never show up on ultrasounds.
If you are having the symptoms you described…you may want to get another gynecological opinion. Birth control pills will only delay the eventual outcome.

Dear Dr. del Junco Jr.,

I am 60 years old and have been diagnosed with one golf ball size fibroid. This does not bother me in the least except that I bleed slightly every day. I have had an ultrasound, a pap smear, numerous blood tests for harmones and cancer and a cat scan. They all turn out negative for cancer or anything else. My doctor now wants to do a endometrial biopsy. I feel this is too much. I feel great and had not been to a doctor in 33 years so I have no idea how long I have had the fibroid. What do you think?
I am really tired of all these tests and just want to stop and go back to my regular life. Thank you.

Dar Joan-
Many post menopausal women bleed and or spot due to fibroids. However, the position of the fibroid within the uterus will determine this…there is also the possibility that your bleeding is NOT due to the fibroid. Your doctor is just trying to rule out other causes. I would have the biopsy to make sure everything is fine…its only one more test. Get it over with..and then if its negative…move on.
Good Luck.