Is uterine artery embolization for patients with large myomas safe and effective? A retrospective comparative study in 323 patients.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and complications of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in women with large fibroid tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

From January 2005 to February 2011, 323 patients underwent UAE for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas without adenomyosis and were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: those with a large tumor burden (group 1; n = 63), defined as a dominant tumor with a longest axis of at least 10 cm or a uterine volume of at least 700 cm(3); and the control group (group 2; n = 260). Tumor infarction and volume reduction were calculated based on magnetic resonance imaging findings. Symptom status was assessed with a visual analog scale. Postprocedure complications and repeat interventions were recorded. The data were analyzed with appropriate statistical tests.

RESULTS:

No significant differences were seen between the two groups in volume reduction of dominant tumors (46.5% in group 1 vs 52.0% in group 2; P = .082) or percentage volume reduction of the uterus (40.7% in group 1 vs 36.3% in group 2; P = .114). Also, no significant differences were seen between the two groups regarding satisfaction scores at immediate or midterm follow-up (P = .524 and P = .497) or in the presence of procedure-related complications (P = .193).

CONCLUSIONS:

UAE outcomes in large fibroid tumors were comparable to those in smaller tumors, without an increased risk of significant complications. Tumor size may not be a key factor in predicting successful outcomes of UAE.

• Authors: Hye Jeong Choi, Gyeong Sik Jeon, Man Deuk Kim, Jong Tae Lee, Jung Hyun Yoon
• Journal: Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR (J Vasc Interv Radiol) Vol. 24 Issue 6 Pg. 772-8 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1535-7732 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23566524 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Chemoembolization, Therapeutic (statistics & numerical data)
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Myoma (epidemiology, therapy)
• Prevalence
• Republic of Korea (epidemiology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Assessment
• Treatment Outcome
• Uterine Artery Embolization (statistics & numerical data)
• Uterine Neoplasms (epidemiology, therapy)
• Young Adult