For generations, a diagnosis of uterine fibroids has often meant surgery, prolonged recovery and concerns about fertility. But a technology that uses focused sound waves to destroy fibroid tissue is offering some women a less invasive treatment option.
Known as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), the procedure targets fibroid tissue with concentrated ultrasound energy, heating and destroying it without making a conventional surgical incision.
At the Fibroid Care Centre at Nordica in Lagos, Patricia Omoke became the centre’s first HIFU beneficiary in June 2021 after living with severe menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding and persistent back pain.
Omoke said she had avoided surgery despite repeated recommendations from doctors because she was afraid of undergoing an operation. After discovering HIFU, she applied for a free treatment programme and was eventually selected.
According to her, the procedure lasted about one hour and five minutes and did not involve cutting or scraping. She said her persistent back pain disappeared immediately after the treatment and she has experienced no complications.
Dr Abayomi Ajayi, Medical Director of Nordica Fertility Centre and the Fibroid Care Centre, said his interest in non-surgical fibroid treatment was driven by concerns about the risks associated with conventional surgery.
Figures provided by HIFU Medical and Nordica indicate that 965 women have undergone HIFU treatment for fibroids at their Lagos and Abuja centres, while 30 pregnancies have been recorded following treatment.
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. They can cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, pressure and, in some cases, fertility problems.
However, doctors stress that HIFU is not suitable for every woman with fibroids. Treatment options depend on factors including the size, number and location of the fibroids, as well as the woman’s symptoms and reproductive plans.