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 IMMEDIAPRESS > Servizi > Dettaglio comunicato
11 ottobre 2006 - 09:00
New Studies Show Embolisation Better Treatment Option for Uterine Fibroids
CIRSE Central Office - PR Newswire
VIENNA, Austria, October 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Uterine fibroids affect 30% of all women. Although these benign tumours are not life-threatening, they can cause severe symptoms. So far, the final treatment for most women has been a complete removal of the uterus. Now study results show that uterus - preserving embolisation is the better treatment option.
Uterine fibroids are a very common disease among women; approximately 30% are affected, with symptoms usually starting at the age of 30. Although not all patients show symptoms, these can be quite serious if they do occur. The most common symptoms are heavy menstrual bleeding and mechanical complaints, such as bowl obstruction, pain and pressure on the bladder causing a constant urge to urinate. For most women a hysterectomy, which is a surgical removal of the uterus, is the final treatment. Hysterectomy is the most performed gynaecological operation. It is estimated that in the UK gynaecologists perform some 12,000 hysterectomies due to fibroid disease every year.
Embolisation is a new and safe alternative treatment option for fibroid disease. It is not an operation and it is not performed by gynaecologists, but by interventional radiologists. The "keyhole surgery" performed by interventional radiologists does not require general anaesthesia and does not cause surgical scarring. Hospital stays are reduced to one day, rather than a week and patients can resume their daily activities much faster after embolisation than after an operation. Most patients with fibroid disease can be treated by embolisation and many women, especially in the USA and the UK, now specifically ask for this new treatment to avoid surgery.
During embolisation the fibroids are killed by blocking their feeding arteries. This is done with a minimally invasive catheter procedure. Although embolisation is widely practiced in the USA and in some European countries (UK and France) many women throughout Europe still do not have access to this procedure. The lack of solid scientific proof has been one of the reasons why only a limited number of gynaecologists have referred their patients to an interventional radiologist to receive embolisation treatment.
At the last CIRSE meeting in Rome (Sept. 9-13) results from 2 randomized studies comparing hysterectomy and embolisation for treatment of uterine fibroids were presented. The Dutch study (EMMY trial, Prof Reekers, Amsterdam) and the Scottish study (REST trial, Dr Moss, Glasgow) were performed independently. The REST study shows a similar quality of life for both groups one year after the procedure (embolisation versus surgery). The EMMY study shows that this result was also maintained after a 2 year follow-up period. Surgical treatments like hysterectomy could be avoided in more than 80% of all women after a successful embolisation, as the 2 year follow-up showed (EMMY). Furthermore both studies indicate that embolisation is almost 40% cheaper than a surgical option. Very promising results of embolisation treatment had already been shown in previous publications from both France and the US, but this is the first time that they are confirmed in 2 randomised studies. The conclusion from these studies is that now there is scientific proof which shows that embolisation is a true and durable alternative to hysterectomy. Both studies have also indicated independently that embolisation is much cheaper and more patient-friendly. It is therefore clear that embolisation should be offered to women with fibroid disease before hysterectomy is considered.
About CIRSE
The Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) is Europe’s most important platform for Interventional Radiology, which due to the increasing demand for minimally invasive procedures has become one of the fastest growing medical subspecialties. So-called "keyhole surgery" provided by interventional radiologists offers numerous advantages for the patients, including mitigated risks, no general anaesthesia, no scarring, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times.
CIRSE organises the largest non-cardiac endovascular meeting in Europe every year. Even though the annual CIRSE congress is the highlight of our scientific year, we carry out many more activities in the field of training and further education throughout the year. One of our most important projects is the European School of Interventional Radiology (ESIR), which consists in courses on interventional procedures held in different European countries. Another important project is our UFE task force, which deals with research in the field of uterine fibroid embolisation and the promotion of this new procedure.
For more information about embolisation or other interventional radiological procedures please contact the CIRSE Central Office (mann@cirse.org), which can refer you to a specialist in your country.
Contact:
Petra Mann
CIRSE Central Office
Neutorgasse 9/4a
AT - 1010 Vienna
Phone: +43-1-904-2003-15
Fax: +43-1-904-2003-30
email:
Per maggiori informazioni: Petra Mann, CIRSE Central Office, Phone: +43-1-904-2003-15, Fax: +43-1-904-2003-30, email:
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