questions about focused ultrasound

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone knows what the criteria at this point is for

focused ultrasound? What do the docs look for when deciding if

a patient would be a candidate for the procedure?

I have a 14cm. fibroid uterus with one fibroid that is very large

and " too many to count " throughout the rest of the uterus. I think I

am going into menopause as my periods and symptoms have

subsided somewhat except for the big belly. My gyno. has said

that there may not be much shrinkage but I would love to get rid

of the discomfort and am hoping this procedure may eventually

be an option.

Any information would be great. Thx - Kathy

[Guest guest]

Dear Kathy:

I am in the same " boat " as you - I am 49 and in perimenopause - periods are

irregular, but still do eventually come - just not monthly. I am

asymptomatic, thankfully, but just have a huge tummy bulge from an almost 13

cm. fibroid. I am thinking about focused ultrasound also, as I am very

afraid of any type of surgery (after a failed UAE last year).

For further information about focused ultrasound, see below (I have cut and

pasted this from the link at the Center for Uterine Fibroids, at Brigham and

Women's in Boston (http://www.fibroids.net/html/frameset.htm) - just click

on " current studies " at the bottom of the webpage. Hope this helps, Edie

" Uterine Leiomyomas (fibroids) are the most common pelvic tumors in

women and they cause significant problems including excessive menstrual

bleeding and enlarged uterine size. The treatment for fibroids is often

hysterectomy or other surgery.

We are testing whether focused ultrasound heating, monitored and

controlled by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can be effective in

destroying uterine fibroids. In pilot studies conducted at Brigham and

Women's Hospital and 2 other sites, this ultrasound-based treatment has been

shown to be well tolerated and a safe alternative to surgery. The current

study is designed to see if the therapy is effective in relieving

fibroid-related symptoms.

To be eligible for this research study, women must be 18 years or

older and premenopausal. Because the long-term results of this treatment are

not known, only women who have completed their family will be eligible for

this treatment. Six visits will be required: a screening visit, the

treatment visit and follow-up visits 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months

after the treatment. Because the study depends on complete follow-up after

treatment, subjects must live close enough to Boston to be able to return

for all follow-up visits.

The study sponsor will cover the costs of FUS treatment. Participants

will receive parking reimbursement for visits.

For more information call: Dr. A. or Louise

Greenberg at or e-mail: lgreenberg@...

For an update on this study, go to Ultrasound Surgery Shrinks

Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids "

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Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 19:45:43 -0000

Subject: questions about focused ultrasound

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone knows what the criteria at this point is for

focused ultrasound? What do the docs look for when deciding if

a patient would be a candidate for the procedure?

I have a 14cm. fibroid uterus with one fibroid that is very large

and " too many to count " throughout the rest of the uterus. I think I

am going into menopause as my periods and symptoms have

subsided somewhat except for the big belly. My gyno. has said

that there may not be much shrinkage but I would love to get rid

of the discomfort and am hoping this procedure may eventually

be an option.

Any information would be great. Thx - Kathy

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I am the same age and in the same boat as you except I just went to the gyn

on Thursday and she recommended that I have the Mirena, I think that is the

right spelling, IUD coil inserted or the UAE. My question to you is why did the

UAE fail? Was it the size of the fibroid or did they just not get the right

blood supply? I am especially curious since that is what I am planning to do

in the next few months. Thank margie

[Guest guest]

Margie,

I had a UFE and it did work but, I just want them

removed.

KC

--- babeohno@... wrote:

>My question to you is why did the UAE fail?

>Was it the size of the fibroid or did they just not get the right

>blood supply?