Uterine Fibroid Embolization - Georgetown Univ. Medical Center

Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE):
An alternative to surgery for patients with uterine fibroids

Fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus that are a common cause of heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain and pressure in women. Fibroids often fail to respond to medical therapies and either myomectomy (surgical removal of the fibroids) or hysterectomy is then recommended. In recent years, there has been considerable research aimed at developing less invasive alternatives to surgery. One such therapy, uterine artery embolization (UAE), shows great promise in controlling symptoms caused by fibroids. This site is intended to inform patients and physicians about uterine fibroids, their current treatment, about uterine artery embolization and the research Georgetown University is conducting on this therapy. Contact us regarding any aspect of uterine artery embolization: James B. Spies, M.D. or Michael F. McCullough M.D. For more information you may email us at: FIBROIDINFO@gunet.georgetown.edu or call us at: (202) 444-5478 Georgetown Interventional Radiology, Georgetown University Hospital Last updated 2-4-04 This site designed by Faculty & Curriculum Support, Georgetown Univ. Medical Center Images on this site may not be used without permission. Contact James B. Spies, M.D., Georgetown Interventional Radiology or David Klemm, Dept. of Educational Media.	What are Fibroids? What causes them? Who gets them? What symptoms do they cause and why? Review this page for a detailed background discussion of uterine fibroids.
	Current Treatment Options There are a number of different treatments for fibroids. The choice of therapies depends on a number of factors. What are the options and how does one decide on a given therapy?
	Uterine Artery Emb. Procedure This is a fundamentally different approach to treating fibroids. What is this therapy? How does it work? What are the side effects? How well does it work? See also: Embolic Agents Pregnancy after UAE
	Patient's Guide to UAE at Georgetown Interested in uterine artery embolization at Georgetown University? Find out about our pre-procedure evaluation, treatment plan, and follow-up protocols. Also provided are the results of patients treated at Georgetown and other research we have completed on UAE.
	FIBROID Registry Georgetown University Hospital is one of the first core site participants in the FIBROID Registry, a national data registry intended to determine the long term outcome of uterine embolization for fibroids. Learn about this large study of this fibroid therapy and the participating sites at www.fibroidregistry.org/about.htm
	Finding a Physician Patients from all over the country have been treated with UAE at Georgetown University, but there are many other centers that have extensive experience with this procedure. This page provides links and guidelines on how to best select a program.
	Physicians' Resource This section provides information for physicians on current scientific literature on uterine artery embolization, patient eligibility criteria, and referral information. See also: UAE for Physicians Georgetown Univ. Experience Published Georgetown Research Literature Review Patient Protocol and Referral
	Adenomyosis Adenomyosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue occurs deep within the muscular wall of the uterus. This can cause heavy menstrual bleeding and severe cramps. Hysterectomy is the most commonly used therapy. This section discusses the role of UAE as a possible alternative treatment for adenomyosis.
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