The latest weapon against tumors is a limber catheter about the width of uncooked spaghetti. Stanford radiologists have begun using the catheter to strangle fibroids, a common kind of uterine tumor. Razavi began performing the minimally invasive procedure, known as fibroid embolization, about a year ago. Stanford is a leading center for fibroid embolization in Northern California, Razavi said.
Fibroids are knot-like growths in the wall of the uterus.
Between 20 and 40 percent of women over 35 years of age develop these benign masses, which often remain small and innocuous. However, fibroids may continue to enlarge, occasionally reaching the size of a canteloupe, and can cause a host of health problems, including internal bleeding, acute pain, cramping and a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the abdomen. In rare cases, fibroids can become cancerous. Many women with troublesome fibroids opt for surgery. Patients who undergo either operation usually receive general anesthetic and can expect to spend several days in the hospital after surgery.