At least 25 percent of women suffer from uterine fibroids and as many as 77 percent of women may actually have the condition but be unaware of it, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Although the tumors are benign, there are several uncomfortable and often very painful symptoms such as heavy bleeding, frequent urination, cramping and painful periods. Traditionally, treatment options have included some rather expensive hormonal treatments or even invasive surgical procedures like hysterectomies and myomectomies.
The MRI Imaging of Georgia is a medical center that now offers a non invasive outpatient treatment option for the ablatement or the breakdown of uterine fibroids. The procedure itself is performed with a Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound device designed specifically for treating uterine fibroids. The procedure offers significant improvement in quality of life for patients as it preserves the uterus and the cervix. Menstrual bleeding and urinary dysfunction are also greatly improved.
Using a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner, the device enables the physician to determine the level of heating and further to track the progress of treatment both during and after the treatment. In addition it allows the doctor to distinguish between treated and untreated tissue and to recognize the three-dimensional boundaries of the fibroid itself and the surrounding organs with exact precision.
During the procedure, the ultrasound waves break the tumor down while the patient lies inside the scanner, which precisely targets the affected tissue. The heat of the ultrasound waves ablates the tumor and the process can be repeated as many times as is needed until the fibroid is completely broken down. As part of a natural process the patient’s body eliminates the unwanted tissue.
On average the treatment is found to last approximately 3-4 hours depending on the size of the tumor. Typically patients are able to return to normal activities within one to two days and report relief from symptoms within 3 months, depending on the size of the original tumor.
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I underwent the exablate procedure in February 2008 to treat a 7cm fundal fibroid. I do not recommend this procedure. As a result of the exablate focused ultrasound procedure, I suffered significant nerve damage to my sacral nerve roots on both sides of my pelvis. This occurred despite pressing the stop button during the procedure when a hot, searing pain went down my leg - my left leg first, then on another sonication, down my right leg. This resulted in severe pain, 24-hours a day, everyday, down both of my legs, feet and toes for more than 8 months. I was on crutches for about 6 weeks, and was in physical therapy around 6 months; and now, 2 1/2 years later, I still suffer physical limitations and abnormal physical sensations in my feet and legs due to the nerve damage. I was a very active person before this happened. This incident was never reported to either Insightec or the FDA by my doctor. Lastly, the procedure only had a temporary effect on my fibroid, and it is now 11 cm. Because the fibroid has been treated by focused ultrasound, doctors will no longer operate on me via laproscopy - a full abdominal myomectomy or hysterectomy is my only option.
I would strongly recommend that you seek an alternative treatment where you won't risk disablement. Despite the literature, which I believe grossly underreports incidents like mine (which doctors are NOT required to report to the FDA), nerve damage happens more often than people realize, and unfortunately, there are no good treatments for nerve root damage other than pain control, which have a whole slew of dehabiliting side effects. Seek safer alternatives. My life was turned upside down by this disaster, and still is, and no one should risk this for a benign tumor. There are better and safer alternatives out there.