Google News | Fibroids Yahoo! News | Fibroids PubMed | Uterine FibroidSubscribe to the feed:
Bookmark this site:
The best browser:
This is the third installment of my geeky science series on the abstracts and posters presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 32nd annual Scientific Meeting held March 1 – March 6, 2007.
Pregnancy after MRgFUS for Uterine Fibroids: First Experiences
Received an email message from a visitor who wanted to pass along this information about the additional ExAblate 2000 approvals by the FDA. Thanks for the update!
From the email message:
The FDA approved new software that allows the ExAblate 2000 incisionless surgery procedure to be performed more efficiently by permitting more sonications during the same treatment window. This means that women with fibroids can be treated faster and women with larger fibroids may now be eligible for the outpatient procedure. The greater the area of the fibroid that a physician can treat, the greater the symptom relief. The agency is also allowing the system to be used with a more powerful open MRI machine, which means the physicians will have an even more precise view inside the woman’s body.
You can click the links to view the full press releases on Insightec’s web site but I included excerpts…
The idea for this entry sprouted from thoughts on total healing (mind/body/spirit) left in the post-Abdominal Myomectomy forum. I thank the ladies there, particularly Sunday and Gab. This is a fascinating topic as I’ve always felt that to have total health, the mind, body, and spirit must work together. I’ll start with my experience and then open the floor to others.
My body, mind, and spirit became disjointed years ago. I decided to seek medical assistance because my periods were becoming bad and blamed fibroids. There are women in my family who had surgery for fibroids and I just knew it was my turn. Yeah, too bad the first ultrasound didn’t detect the dang things. Had a heck of a time trying to convince the doctor and grew tired of doing so. Ended up dealing with my symptoms on my own (with mind fighting body) for YEARS…
I sense that some of you get a little nervous about pre-op testing so here’s some information. I’ll start with a quote from Lab Tests Online that provides a guide on test preparation:
One of the most important factors in determining the accuracy and reliability of your lab test is you, the patient. After all, it is a sample from your body (blood, urine, or some other specimen) on which the test will be performed. Therefore, it is essential that you do the following to ensure that the results will be useful:
Your preparation can be spiritual, or funny, or just ways you are pampering yourself. Name your treatment option and tell what you are doing to prepare.
How are you preparing for your fibroid treatment?
——————–
Related Posts:
What should I carry with me to the hospital before my fibroid surgery?
What’s involved with pre-op testing before a fibroid procedure?
Been blogging here for a number of months on the medical decisions I made to finally address my uterine fibroid tumor problem. I consider myself fortunate because a number of women have decided to share their choices as well. It’s now time to string some of the Forum “threads” together and assemble a post that lists fibroid treatment options.
I’ll start with some general information from the MayoClinic.com Uterine Fibroids Decision Guide. Visit the site for treatment details including what to expect, common concerns, and pros and cons. I’ll also include links to related posts on this site for each of the options.
From the original comment on the ExAblate (MRgFUS) procedure:
Ruth: I’ve been investigating ExAblate as a potential candidate for over a year now, and finally had my consult at Virtua in NJ, with a 2nd opinion at Weill-Cornell in NYC. I really want to hear from anyone who has had this procedure…
Other comments: (Click the link to view the whole comment or the off-site link for more info.)
aiyin: Here’s an alternative procedure for zapping those pesky uterine fibroids. Unfortunately, it is so new my gynecologist never heard of it … http://www.universitymri.com/imageguided/fus_faq.html
Ellen: I am hoping that I will be eligible. Three SEDATED hours in an MRI, belly-down, while they blast the fibroids with ultrasound.
aiyin: Here’s more about ExAblate:
http://www.uterine-fibroids.org/index.html
The Related Post at the bottom contains information I gathered from a TIME magazine article as well as a few links to the ExAblate (MRgFUS) site.
[Edited to add the ExAblate toll-free number (US): 1 866 EXABLATE (1 866 392 2528). Thanks Randee!]
Leave a comment if you have an ExAblate experience (pre- or post-treatment), questions, or thoughts.
——————–
Related Posts:
New treatment uses sound waves to shrink uterine fibroid tumors
ExAblate 2000 (MRgFUS) non-invasive fibroid treatment receives two new associated approvals by the FDA
Stumbled upon a TIME magazine article as I wandered around the Internet looking for all sorts of fibroid information. It discusses the benefits of MRgFUS (Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound). This non-invasive procedure simultaneously images, treats, and ablates targeted areas. Approved by the FDA in 2004, it is available at approximately a dozen US locations and is also performed worldwide.
Read the TIME magazine article: Giving Fibroids the Heat
Other informational links:
MRgFUS – Non-invasive treatment for uterine fibroid tumors
ExAblate 2000 MRgFUS system
ExAblate 2000 treatment centers in the US and abroad
[Edited to add the ExAblate toll-free number (US): 1 866 EXABLATE (1 866 392 2528). Thanks Randee!]
Can’t believe the small number of facilities offering this treatment. I hope it continues to steadily increase. We’ve got to spread the word on ALL options.
——————–
Related Posts:
Does anyone have an experience with ExAblate (MRgFUS)?
ExAblate 2000 (MRgFUS) non-invasive fibroid treatment receives two new associated approvals by the FDA
Look who’s talking about fibroids
