Fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus- they are not cancer and they are extremely common. In many cases, fibroids can simply be left alone. Intervention is only necessary if the fibroids are very large and causing pressure or pain, or are located near or inside of the uterine cavity where they could interfere with a pregnancy or cause bleeding.
Fibroids located in the uterine cavity may be hysteroscopically removed through the vagina. Larger fibroids outside of the uterine cavity may require abdominal surgery. Abdominal procedures may be accomplished by standard or computer (robot-assisted) laparoscopy where smaller incisions are made, but the computer-assisted surgery is only possible in very select cases. Laparotomy involves an open surgical procedure requiring a regular abdominal incision and is performed using general anesthesia. It is primarily performed to remove large fibroids from the uterus which are making the cavity abnormal.
Injectable medications may be used to "shrink" the fibroids prior to surgery, although there are no medications that can permanently treat fibroids.
Fibroid embolization is a radiology procedure in which particles are injected to "cut-off" the blood supply to each fibroid. This procedure is currently not recommended for patients who wish to conceive in the future.
Fibroids located in the uterine cavity may be hysteroscopically removed through the vagina. Larger fibroids outside of the uterine cavity may require abdominal surgery. Abdominal procedures may be accomplished by standard or computer (robot-assisted) laparoscopy where smaller incisions are made, but the computer-assisted surgery is only possible in very select cases. Laparotomy involves an open surgical procedure requiring a regular abdominal incision and is performed using general anesthesia. It is primarily performed to remove large fibroids from the uterus which are making the cavity abnormal.
Injectable medications may be used to "shrink" the fibroids prior to surgery, although there are no medications that can permanently treat fibroids.
Fibroid embolization is a radiology procedure in which particles are injected to "cut-off" the blood supply to each fibroid. This procedure is currently not recommended for patients who wish to conceive in the future.
