Southampton doctors trial new gel-beads to treat fibroids

Doctors in Southampton are trialling the use of new dissolvable gel-beads to treat fibroids in a world-first study.

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around a woman’s uterus. They are made up of muscle and fibrous tissue and vary in size.

Around one in three women will develop fibroids at some point in their life and they most often occur in women between the ages of 30 and 50.

Many women are unaware they have fibroids because they don't have any symptoms. However, they can cause severe abdominal pain and heavy periods. In some cases they can affect pregnancy or cause infertility.

Developing a new treatment

Known as Gel-Bead Embolisation Spheres, these new dissolvable gel-beads are used as part of uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) – a technique which involves using a tiny catheter inserted in the groin to inject them into the arteries where they cut the blood supply and shrink the fibroids.

Although UFE is a commonly used non-surgical alternative to a hysterectomy, the plastic microbeads that are currently injected are permanent and remain in the vessels, whereas the beads which are being trialled as part of this study are absorbed within a few weeks.

This allows the blood supply to the uterus to function fully and could help preserve uterine and ovarian function and fertility following treatment.

First study of its kind

The 12-month study led by Dr Nigel Hacking, a consultant interventional radiologist, will involve 20 to 25 patients at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

“We are very pleased to be leading the first study in the world looking at this exciting and gel based temporary agent to treat fibroids without the need for surgery and which avoids leaving permanent foreign materials in the blood vessels,” explained Dr Hacking.

Whilst the primary aim of the study is to confirm the gel-beads are a safe and effective alternative to the traditional plastic microbeads used with UFE, the study team also hope to establish if the treatment will better preserve ovarian function.

Raising awareness of UFE

Dr Hacking also believes the study is an opportunity to raise awareness of UFE as an alternative to a hysterectomy for women and help them to “stop suffering in silence”.

“Many women are afraid to come forward as they know their gynaecologist will likely recommend hysterectomy or some other form of conventional surgery rather than UFE,” he added.

“We are currently over halfway through our recruitment and patients have been delighted with the outcomes they are seeing. They are also very keen to highlight UFE to other women who may be suffering in silence with fibroids.”