Uterine Fibroids and Hysterectomy - Highlights

New Research

Risk Factors

High blood pressure may increase the risk of developing fibroids, according to data from the Nurses? Health Study. The prospective epidemiologic study tracked women for 10 years and found that for every 10 mm/Hg increase in diastolic blood pressure, the risk for developing fibroids increased by 8 - 10%.

Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE)

A 2005 British study of 671 women who underwent UAE found that the procedure did not adversely affect fertility. The study did find a slight increase in caesarean section delivery. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, there is still insufficient data regarding pregnancy outcomes for this procedure. Women who wish to have children should discuss with their gynecologist whether this procedure is appropriate for them. UAE is generally considered an option only for those who have completed childbearing.
Results from the first long-term UAE study, presented at the 2005 annual scientific meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology, reported that 73% of women experienced symptom relief that lasted for five years. The success rate for UAE was comparable to that of myomectomy. For 20% of women, symptom control failed or fibroids reoccurred. The study suggested that women with large fibroids are not good candidates for UAE. Similarly, a small French study found that 17% of women who undergo UAE experience fibroid reoccurrence within 30 months. Fibroid size and number were the main predictors of reoccurrence.

Investigative Drugs

Raloxifene (Evista) is proving to be beneficial in preventing bone loss in patients taking GnRH agonists for uterine fibroids, and in high doses may be helpful as a single agent for preventing fibroid growth.