A new technique to remove uterine fibroids without surgery will soon be available in the city. Jaslok Hospital in south Mumbai is set to launch Magnetic Resonance (MR)-focused ultrasound system to remove them. The non-invasive procedure uses high intensity ultrasound waves to ablate tissue in combination with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) that guides, monitors and controls the treatment.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumours found in women aged between 30 and 40. "Submucosal fibroids develop just under the lining of the uterine cavity and causes heavy bleeding, infertility and even miscarriages. They need to be removed without harming other organs," said Dr Rishma Pai, obstetrician, gynaecologist and infertility specialist at Jaslok Hospital.

"This procedure will stop the fibroid to recur again in the same region and increases the chances of fertility."

"Ultrasound is a form of energy that can pass through skin, muscle, fat and other soft tissues. High intensity ultrasound waves focused on a small target raises the temperature and destroys the tissue. This procedure is called thermal ablation," said Dr W M Gedroye, consultant radiologist at St Mary's Hospital in London. Dr Gedroye has treated over 500 patients using this technology. "Success rate is about 80 per cent," he said.

Studies show that this procedure can even remove liver tumours. "Studies are under way in Japan to establish this procedure can successfully treat breast and prostrate cancer also," said Dr Gedroye.