Newsweek: Can racism affect your health? Mar 27, 2008
In yet another perceived racism was associated with a significantly increased risk of uterine fibroids in black women, and this was unrelated to differences in health care utilization. Some critics say that racism cannot be objectively measured and so does not lend itself to rigorous research. (MSNBC -- Race)
Fibroids More Severe for African-American Women Mar 15, 2008
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Among women with uterine fibroids, African Americans tend to be younger and more severely affected than white women, researchers report. "There are underlying genetic liabilities in some women to develop uterine fibroids, and this finding is reinforced by our study identifying race as a risk factor for symptom severity and age at diagnosis," Dr. Cynthia C. Morton told Reuters Health ... "Due to the health disparity of uterine fibroids for black women, it is especially... (MEDLINEplus)
Ultrasound eases fibroid agony Feb 14, 2008
National Uterine Fibroid Foundation ... Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors ... The tumors, called uterine fibroids, affect up to 80 percent of women at some point in their lives, and they can be particularly troubling to women during childbearing years, often causing infertility. (News & Observer)
Super-Thin Drug-Free Coating 'Hides' Stent as It Unblocks Heart Arteries Jan 22, 2008
Polyzene-F was discovered by a group of scientists and has been used in humans for several years to coat tiny particles that embolize (block) arteries and treat a number of conditions, including liver cancer, uterine fibroids and malformed arteries. It's also been tested or is in testing on dental implants, orthopedic implants, breast implants and catheters. (PR Newswire)
CeloNova BioSciences Announces Positive Results from European Study of Embozene(TM) Microspheres for Treatment of Uterine Fibroids Jan 20, 2008
According to one of the Principal Investigators, Joachim Kettenbach, MD, Medical University of Vienna, "Technical success was achieved in 98% of the patients. The side- effects of fibroids such as pain and heavy menstrual bleeding were significantly reduced while the patients' quality of life improved substantially." Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure for uterine fibroids during which an Interventional Radiologist injects microspheres through a tiny catheter to the site of the... (PR Newswire)
PregLem SA Announces CHF 36 Million Series B Funding and New Licencing Agreement With HRA Pharma Dec 4, 2007
Uterine fibroids (also known as leiomyoma, uterine myoma or myomata) are the most common type of non-cancerous hormone-dependent tumors in the female reproductive system. The condition affects between 20 50% of women, and is most common in women between the ages of 30 and 50. (BusinessWire)
Repros moves ahead with Proellex study Dec 4, 2007
Proellex is being used as a "short course" treatment for anemia brought on by excessive menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids. The biopharmaceutical company, based in The Woodlands, said it will begin two studies of the drug. (Houston Business Journal, TX)
Tailor-made health solutions Nov 14, 2007
Since uterine fibroids are the most common benign pelvic tumours found in women of reproductive age, the "boutique firm" provides personalized service for hysterectomy, which is a major public health concern. "In the case of specialized healthcare, patients appreciate the difference. In a hospital, a nurse has to deal with a heart patient, a delivery patient and one who has a chest infection. In our centre, it is only fibroids and due to the vast number of cases that are operated on, the... (India Times, India -- Intl Business)
* Taiwan Quick Take Oct 25, 2007
STAFF WRITER, WITH CNA"; HEALTH Medical technique succeeds Taipei Medical University Hospital recently used a new technique to remove uterine fibroids during a cesarean delivery, the director of the hospital's Obstetrics and Gynecology Department announced yesteday. The excised fibroid weighed 3.8kg, which was bigger and heavier than the baby, who weighed only 2.8kg, said Liu Wei-min (B). Liu said the patient was diagnosed in March with a uterine fibroid 30 cm long, which at first led... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
• Routine Surgery; Fatal Error Oct 7, 2007
The removal of uterine fibroids would be no big deal. She'd had a similar procedure two years earlier when her family lived in Canada. (FOX61, CT)
Gorilla Undergoes Surgery At Human Hospital Sep 21, 2007
For that, the staff again went to Dr. Murrey, who organized a uterine fibroid embolization ... Steven Smith, Luke Sewall and Francis Facchini performed the procedure at Adventist Hinsdale, the first time a uterine fibroid embolization had ever been performed on a non-human primate, zoo officials said. (CBS 11, TX)
Gorilla Receives State-Of-The-Art Treatment for Uterine Fibroids from Interventional Radiologists Sep 20, 2007
Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Beta, the gorilla, has been suffering since 2005 from abdominal discomfort and heavy vaginal bleeding caused by uterine fibroids, noncancerous tumors that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus ... Uterine fibroids are something Beta has in common with 20 to 40 percent of human women age 35 and older ... Typically, women with symptoms from uterine fibroids are recommended to have a hysterectomy. (PR Newswire)
When to get a second opinion Sep 1, 2007
For example, she says hormone treatments might be the answer to pelvic pain, and embolization -- cutting off the blood supply to the fibroids -- might be an option for uterine fibroids. 3. (CNN -- Health)
Removing Ovaries Before Menopause Affects Memory and Movement, Study Finds Aug 30, 2007
About half of 600,000 women who have hysterectomies in the U.S. yearly also have their ovaries removed, according to the National Uterine Fibroids Foundation. Ovaries are removed to prevent endometriosis, premenopausal breast cancer or ovarian tumors in women with a family history, the researchers said. (Bloomberg -- Canada)
New Uterine Fibroid Treatment Shows Promise Aug 11, 2007
THURSDAY, Aug. 9 (HealthDay News) -- A noninvasive, outpatient technique called MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) provides long-term symptom relief for women with benign uterine fibroid tumors and improves their quality of life, a new study finds. The Mayo Clinic-led study of 359 women also found that the more completely these uterine tumors are destroyed by MRgFUS, the longer the duration of symptom relief. (MEDLINEplus)
Surgica Corp. files for bankruptcy Aug 9, 2007
founded in 1997 by Louis Matson, developed tiny particles made of polyvinyl alcohol that radiologists inject to close off blood vessels that feed tumors and uterine fibroids. In December 2005, (OTCBB: PPTI) of San Diego bought the exclusive rights to further develop and sell Surgica's products. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Focused Ultrasound Treatment Of Uterine Fibroids Provides Long Term Symptom Relief Aug 2, 2007
A noninvasive, outpatient treatment for noncancerous uterine tumors provides sustained relief from symptoms, according to a new Mayo Clinic led collaborative study. The study of this innovative treatment approach -- called magnetic resonance imaging guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) -- also shows that the more completely tumors are destroyed by focused ultrasound, the more durable the symptom relief. (Science Daily)
Is one child enough? Aug 1, 2007
But when her daughter Jessica was born with life-threatening health problems and Lawler's uterine fibroids compromised future pregnancies, she and her husband knew Jessica would be their only child. Lawler says, "Raising our daughter was going to take a lot of emotional, physical, and financial resources. If I had any more children, I didn't think I could handle it.". (CNN -- Health)
Mayo Clinic study finds focused ultrasound treatment of uterine fibroids long term symptom relief Jul 31, 2007
Public release date: 31-Jul-2007. -- A noninvasive, outpatient treatment for noncancerous uterine tumors provides sustained relief from symptoms, according to a new Mayo Clinic led collaborative study. (EurekAlert!)
No Intermission: Sick but uninsured Jul 27, 2007
Several months ago, she was diagnosed with fast-growing uterine fibroid tumors. Uterine fibroids are growths made up of muscle and other tissue found in the uterus ... In February, she even tried to participate in a uterine fibroid study offered at Hutzel Women's Hospital in Detroit. (The News-Herald)
Effective Alternative to Hysterectomy Jul 26, 2007
Women with symptomatic uterine fibroid tumors, benign tumors inside the uterus that often cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pain and other symptoms, may often be able to avoid hysterectomy by undergoing uterine artery embolization, a "valuable alternative," according to Dutch researchers ... To compare these approaches, the researchers recruited 177 patients with uterine fibroids and heavy menstrual bleeding. (Newsmax)
Exercise: Don't watch the clock Jul 5, 2007
For women, the advantages include enhanced bone health, and a reduced risk for breast cancer and uterine fibroids. Unfortunately, most Americans aren't exercising strenuously enough or at all to realize these benefits. (Sun-Sentinel.com)
Baby Boom Women Confronting Pelvic Health Conditions Jun 21, 2007
And many aren't aware of newer treatments for problems such as uterine fibroids, heavy bleeding, report says. By Carolyn ColwellHealthDay Reporter. (Health-Finder)
Cycle of pain or creativity? Jun 11, 2007
One woman who suffers from heavy bleeding and uterine fibroids speaks movingly of her desire to have a hysterectomy; another expresses the relief she felt when her weeks-long bleeding episodes were stopped with the birth control injection Depo-Provera. "I don't remember what cramps are like, I don't remember what PMS is like, I don't remember the nuisance of having to replace tampons or sanitary napkins," says Jennifer Norman of San Francisco, the Depo-Provera user. (USA Today -- News)
Fibroids Common in Women With Ovary Disorder Jun 9, 2007
"Our study is the first to report an association between PCOS and uterine fibroids, both of which are common diseases in women of childbearing age," Dr. Lauren A. Wise told Reuters Health ... "If other studies confirm this association, it suggests that women with PCOS would benefit from being monitored closely for the presence of uterine fibroids in addition to other conditions commonly associated with PCOS, including obesity, diabetes, and endometrial cancer," Wise concluded. (MEDLINEplus)
Pain, pressure? Here's a guide to fibroid fixes Jun 7, 2007
Roughly 30 to 70 percent of U.S. women ages 35-50 have uterine fibroid tumors Symptoms include heavy periods, abdominal pressure, frequent urination Hysterectomy common; other less-invasive treatments growing in popularity By Kate Madden Yee Health ... It appears to be the most practical remedy for premenopausal women who have five or fewer fibroids (one or two is typical for most women) and no plans for future pregnancies, says gynecologist Elizabeth A. Stewart, M.D., clinical director for... (CNN -- Health)
Facing suits, health insurers take different tacks Jun 2, 2007
Otherwise, rates would skyrocket for everyone and more people will end up uninsured," Epstein said. Blue Shield maintains that it doesn't have to prove intentional misrepresentation in cases where there are grounds for suspecting deceit. That puts it at odds with the state regulator, the Department of Managed Health Care, which says inadvertent or unintentional mistakes should not be grounds for rescission. Epstein admits to a bit of a public relations nightmare. "Theses cases can be very... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Focused Ultrasound Eases Fibroid Symptoms May 31, 2007
WEDNESDAY, May 30 (HealthDay News) -- A noninvasive ultrasound procedure called magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) shrinks uterine fibroids and relieves fibroid-related symptoms ... Uterine fibroids are benign growths of the muscle inside the uterus and are the primary reason for surgical removal of the uterus, accounting for about one-third of hysterectomies in the United States, according to the National Women's Health Information Center ... The study included 160... (Health-Finder)
Focused ultrasound relieves fibroid symptoms in women May 29, 2007
-- A noninvasive ultrasound procedure effectively shrinks uterine fibroids and significantly relieves fibroid-related symptoms in women, according to the results of a multicenter clinical trial reported in the June issue of the journal Radiology ... Uterine fibroids are benign growths of the muscle inside the uterus ... According to the National Institutes of Health, at least 25 percent of women in the United States age 25 to 50 suffer from symptomatic uterine fibroids. (EurekAlert!)
Treatment of Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids May 24, 2007
Please for full text and personal services. Volume 356:2218-2219. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Another treatment for excessive menstrual bleeding May 19, 2007
About 18 million women in the United States suffer from excessive menstrual bleeding, a condition called menorrhagia usually caused by hormonal imbalance or uterine fibroids. Treatments range from birth-control pills to a hysterectomy, in which a woman's uterus is removed. (Herald Online, SC -- Health)
Tubbs Jones, Mikulski Continue Fight for Uterine Fibroid Research Funding May 17, 2007
WASHINGTON, May 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones introduced the Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act, which would double federal funding for uterine fibroid research and fund a public education campaign on the condition ... "Right now, hysterectomy is the most common treatment for uterine fibroids, accounting for 200,000, or 30 percent of all hysterectomies in the United States," said Rep ... "That is why I am pleased to once again join Senator... (PR Newswire)
MicroRNAs Can Be Tumor Suppressors Apr 27, 2007
"Overexpression of the HMGA2 gene is an essential feature of many medically significant tumors, such as uterine fibroids," explains Dr. Dutta. "It is very exciting to realize that microRNAs have an important role in suppressing the overexpression of HMGA2. Thus, they may also have a role in causing, and perhaps curing, a disease that is responsible for the vast majority of hysterectomies in the Western world.". (Science Daily)
MicroRNAs as tumor suppressors Apr 16, 2007
"Overexpression of HMGA2 is an important feature of many medically important tumors like uterine fibroids, explains Dr. Dutta. It is very exciting to realize that microRNAs have an important role in suppressing the overexpression of HMGA2, and so may have a role in the causation and perhaps the cure of a disease that is responsible for the vast majority of hysterectomies in the Western world.". Studying chromosomal HMGA2 translocations that are associated with human tumors, the researchers... (EurekAlert!)
DNA microarray data integration by ortholog gene analysis reveals potential molecular mechanisms of estrogen-dependent growth of human uterine fibroids Apr 3, 2007
Uterine fibroids or leiomyoma are a common benign smooth muscle tumor ... Differentially expressed genes in human uterine fibroids were either retrieved from published papers or from our own statistical analysis of downloaded array data ... RA has been shown to play a significant role in the development of uterine fibroids in an animal model. (BioMed Central)
Good vibrations or weird science? Mar 20, 2007
Bev Collins-Wright of Ashland got "vibed," as it's called, for uterine fibroids and says she doesn't notice symptoms now and feels "a general sense of overall well-being and quality of my energy.". At the end of December, she brought in her mother, who was suffering from macular degeneration and bad knee problems and reports, and with treatment four times a week, both have cleared up, she says. (Mail Tribune, OR)
InSightec's ExAblate(R) 2000 Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) System is Approved for Sale in Canada Mar 12, 2007
MRgFUS Offers Women the Only Non-Invasive Treatment for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids HAIFA, Israel, March 12 /CNW/ - InSightec Ltd. announced today that Canada's healthcare regulatory body, Health Canada, has granted regulatory approval to the company's ExAblate(R) 2000 Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) incisionless surgery system for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. "We're very pleased that the Canadian government has approved ExAblate, the only non-invasive... (Canada Newswire)
Boycotting Israel? Feb 9, 2007
For women who undergo hysterectomies each year for the treatment of uterine fibroids, the development in Israel of the Ex Ablate 2000 System is a welcome breakthrough, offering a noninvasive alternative to surgery. Israel is developing a nose drop that will provide a five year flu vaccine. (Ocnus.net)
Why some women can't control their bladders Jan 31, 2007
The increased risk at this time included having children, diabetes or benign growths in the uterus called uterine fibroids ... This may, according to Waetjens team, have to do with the higher rate of uterine fibroids among black women or their generally greater body weight. (MSNBC -- Health)
Surgery Not Always Needed For Fibroids Jan 26, 2007
(WebMD) A nonsurgical approach to the treatment of uterine fibroids is a reasonable alternative to surgery such as hysterectomy, a new study shows. Researchers compared outcomes among women w 00000B46 ho received either surgery or the nonsurgical treatment, known as uterine embolization, for fibroids that produce symptoms such as painful menstrual periods and heavy menstrual bleeding. (CBS News -- Early Show)
Study: popular uterine fibroid treatment effective Jan 26, 2007
BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- A new study suggests uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine fibroids is not only less invasive than surgery, including hysterectomy, but perhaps effective ... Uterine fibroids are common among women of child-bearing age ... In serious cases, uterine fibroids can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic soreness and pain during sex. (Xinhuanet, China)
Embolization Versus Surgery for Fibroids Marked by Trade-Offs Jan 26, 2007
In an accompanying editorial, Togas Tulandi, M.D., of McGill University in Montreal, asked, "Do these results imply that surgery should be used only as a second-line treatment for uterine fibroids after uterine-artery embolization? Not necessarily," he said ... If the possible effects of uterine-artery embolization on fertility and pregnancy are considered, myomectomy should be the first line of treatment for women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who wish to conceive, he said ... Conversely,... (MedPage Today)
Study finds nonsurgical care a safe alternative for women with uterine fibroids Jan 25, 2007
Nonsurgical treatment called safe option for uterine fibroids ... LOS ANGELES -- Women who had less invasive treatment for painful uterine fibroids did about as well as those who had surgery, including a hysterectomy, suggests a new study that lays out the options for a troubling condition affecting millions of women ... Uterine fibroids are common among women of child-bearing age. (Boston Globe)
North San Diego County Community News Briefs: Experimental aircraft group to meet Jan 25, 2007
The seminar will offer information on the latest treatments for uterine fibroids, including uterine fibroid embolization, a nonsurgical procedure clinically proven to provide symptom relief. To register, call (800) SCRIPPS or e-mail. (North County Times)
Non-Surgical Option For Fibroid Tumors Gets High Marks Jan 25, 2007
A new study finds that women who had less invasive treatment for painful uterine fibroids did about as well as those who had surgery ... Uterine fibroids are common in women, affecting about 40 percent of those of child-bearing age. (KOLD.com, AZ)
Study Favors Less Invasive Procedure For Fibroids Jan 25, 2007
All too many women know the discomfort of uterine fibroids which are benign tumors that can grow to the size of a melon ... Dr. Mark Westcott shows X-rays of painful uterine fibroids. (CBS 4, CO)
Uterine-Artery Embolization versus Surgery for Symptomatic Fibroids Jan 25, 2007
NEJM -- Uterine-Artery Embolization versus Surgery for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids ... Uterine-Artery Embolization versus Surgery for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids ... Background The efficacy and safety of uterine-artery embolization, as compared with standard surgical methods, for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids remain uncertain. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Treatment of Uterine Fibroids — Is Surgery Obsolete? Jan 25, 2007
NEJM -- Treatment of Uterine Fibroids -- Is Surgery Obsolete ... Treatment of Uterine Fibroids Is Surgery Obsolete ... In the early 1990s, Jacques H. Ravina first applied the technique of embolization of uterine arteries to treat uterine fibroids in women at high risk for complications during surgery1 in an effort to control uterine bleeding. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Embolization for fibroids safe Jan 25, 2007
BOSTON, MA, United States (UPI) -- Doctors said Wednesday a minimally invasive treatment to eliminate painful uterine fibroids appears to be safe and allows patients a faster recovery than undergoing open surgery procedures ... The results of our study make clear that the choice between surgery and uterine-artery embolization for symptomatic uterine fibroids involves tradeoffs,' Moss said. (Monsters and Critics.com)
Regular Workouts Can Ward Off Fibroids Jan 23, 2007
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Exercising regularly may help prevent women from developing uterine fibroids, a new study shows. Fibroids, also referred to as uterine leiomyomas, are benign tumors that grow in the uterus and can cause infertility, bleeding, pain and pregnancy difficulties. (MEDLINEplus)
• Racine woman had to overcome her fear of doctors Jan 1, 2007
What she considered "tummy fat" turned out to be uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous tumors that develop within or attach to the wall of the uterus. All four of Haman's sisters had the tumors and had them successfully removed. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
