Centre trains doctors in fibroid treatment

The Nordica Fibroids Care Centre on Saturday trained medical doctors in Kano on the non-invasive treatment method for fibroid.

This is as the centre said it has successfully conducted 392 fibroid procedures in two years using High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound technology.

Managing Director Dr Abayomi Ajayi revealed this during the training in Kano.

He stated that the Lagos facility, being West Africa’s only HIFU centre after South Africa and Egypt, was established to revolutionise women’s health using the breakthrough procedure.

It uses ultrasound waves to specifically target and destroy fibroid cells without surgery, with treatment lasting 1-2 hours depending on size. Patients undergo MRI scans beforehand.

Ajayi outlined that 70-80 per cent of women below age 50 may develop benign uterine lumps. Though sometimes symptomless, associated problems include heavy bleeding and pelvic pain.

He said, “It is necessary to undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) before the surgery is done and that the journey begins with an ordinary scan.

“The treatment of fibroid has transcended from very invasive, to minimally invasive.

“Fibroids are benign lumps that grow in the uterus, prevalent in the female pelvis; about 70 to 80 per cent of women below 50 years will have fibroids.

“The cause of fibroid is not sure but hormones and genetics may play a part. The risk factors for uterine fibroids include age, race, getting your period at a very young age, birth control use, being overweight and other factors.

“Many women are asymptomatic but can be diagnosed through incidental finding and other symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain and prolonged menstrual periods.”

Thanking the centre, participants pledged to share knowledge gained with other gynecologists to improve fibroid management.

HIFU is increasingly garnering attention as a substitute for risky fibroid surgeries. The training has been hailed for spreading expertise in the innovative space-age treatment helping many women avoid potential complications.

NAN