Ablate fibroids : fibroid Glossary
Ablation:
Surgical removal of a body part or tissue
Degenerating Fibroids:
When blood supply to the fibroid is cut off causing the fibroid cells to die
ExAblate®
2000:
The commercial name for the system that provides non-invasive treatment
of the tumor using Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound technology.
It received FDA approval in October 2004
Fibroid:
A benign smooth-muscle tumor, usually in the uterus or gastrointestinal
tract
Fibrous tissue:
Scar tissue
Fibroid
tumor:
Solid tumor made of fibrous tissue, most often found in the uterus
Focused
ultrasound:
High frequency sound waves concentrated on a specific area, used in
therapeutic and surgical applications
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
(Gn-RH) agonist:
A synthetic version of the natural hormone that helps trigger ovarian
production of estrogen and progesterone. When given as therapy, a Gn-RH
agonist instead blocks the production of the hormones and stops menstruation.
May be used in conjunction with other therapies to treat uterine fibroids
HIFU:
A non-invasive therapy wherey the heat created by ultrasound waves destroys
diseased tissue
Hormone:
A chemical messenger that travels through the bloodstream to regulate
various body functions.
Hormonal therapy:
A drug treatment used to treat some fibroids that causes fibroid shrinkage
Hysterectomy:
Surgical removal of the uterus
Hysterosalpingography:
An X-ray procedure that uses a dye to help reveal the shape of the uterine
cavity and fallopian tubes
Hysteroscopy:
A procedure in which a doctor places a small, lighted instrument called
a hysteroscope in the uterus to examine its walls and the openings of
the fallopian tubes
Hysterosonography:
A test in which a doctor injects salt water (saline) into the cavity
of the uterus, and an ultrasound probe placed in the vagina obtains
images. The technique obtains more detailed images of the uterine cavity
than does ultrasound alone. Also referred to as sonohysterography
Incision:
A surgical cut
Interventional radiologist:
A medical specialist who uses imaging techniques to insert tiny instruments
through small nicks in the skin to diagnose and treat disease
Intramural fibroids:
Fibroids embedded in the muscular wall of the uterus
Laparoscopy:
A type of surgery in which a doctor places a laparoscope and other instruments
in the abdomen through small incisions in the skin. A camera in the
scope provides pictures of the inside the body. Recovery time is usually
faster than with conventional open surgery, which uses larger incisions
Leiomyoma:
Solid tumor made of fibrous tissue, most often found in the uterus
Magnetic Resonance guided Focused
Ultrasound:
A non-invasive outpatient, surgical procedure that uses high intensity
Focused Ultrasound waves to ablate (destroy) tissue in combination with
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which guides and monitors the treatment
MRgFUS:
Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
A non-invasive imaging method using magnetic fields and radio waves
to create images of the body
Myoma:
A benign growth of smooth muscle in the wall of the uterus
Myometrium fibroid:
Fibroid located in the middle layer of the uterus
Myomectomy:
Surgical excision of the tumor, leaving the healthy areas of the uterus
in place
Myometrium:
The thick wall of smooth muscle cells that forms the middle layer of
the uterus
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs, pronounced en-SAIDS):
Medications, used to reduce inflammation, that aren't corticosteroid-based
Post-embolization syndrome:
Fever, extreme fatigue, nausea and vomiting that often occur after uterine
artery embolization. Doctors believe that chemicals released by degenerating
fibroids stimulate tissue inflammation, causing the syndrome
Progesterone:
One of two reproductive hormones produced by the ovary that stimulate
development of the uterine lining in preparation for a pregnancy. Progesterone
also helps maintain uterine conditions to support a pregnancy. The hormone
may contribute to fibroid development
Pedunculated fibroids:
Fibroid tumors that hang from a stalk inside or outside of the uterus
Serosa:
The membrane forming the outermost layer of the uterus
Submucosal fibroids:
Fibroid tumors that bulge into the inner cavity of the uterus
Subserosal fibroids:
Fibroid tumors that bulge from the outer surface of the uterus
Symptomatic
uterine fibroids:
Benign (non-cancerous) masses located in the uterus that cause any of
the following symptoms, including heavy bleeding or painful periods;
bleeding between periods; feeling “full” in the lower abdomen;
frequent urination (resulting from a fibroid pressing on the bladder);
bowel symptoms, pain during sex or lower back pain
Thermal ablation:
Destruction of a body part or tissue using heat
Uterine artery
embolization (UAE):
Blocking the blood vessels that supply the tumor by injecting small
particles into the arteries feeding the uterus
Uterine fibroid
embolization (UFE):
Blocking the blood vessels that supply the tumor by injecting small
particles into the arteries feeding the uterus
Uterine
fibroids:
Benign (non-cancerous) masses located in the uterus or in the uterine
wall
Ultrasound:
High frequency sound waves (not audible to the human ear)
Uterine ablation:
Removal of tissue from the uterus by means of surgery or other
Uterine cavity:
Unfilled space within the uterus
Uterine fibroid:
A benign tumor of the uterus, also called leiomyoma, myoma, fibroma
and fibromyoma
Uterine fibroid ablation:
Removal of fibroid tissue from the uterus by means of surgery or other
Uterine myoma:
See Myoma
Uterine polyp:
An overgrowth of tissue arising from the endometrium
Uterine tumor stalk:
Connects a pedunculated fibroid to the uterus
Uterine wall:
Structural layer surrounding the uterus
Watchful waiting:
A treatment option in which a woman and her doctor monitor the progression
of fibroids without formal medical interventions, such as surgery or
medication
Learn about the different uterine fibroid treatment options.
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