The Madrid region has seen significant progress in the treatment of uterine fibroids. Hospital Universitario de Móstoles has become a pioneer location for introducing a minimally invasive microwave thermoablation technique. This method destroys benign uterine tumors using a special needle, which is inserted directly into the tumor through the vagina under ultrasound guidance. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, eliminating the need for long-term hospitalization.
This method is especially relevant given that fibroids can affect up to half of all women and are often a cause of infertility. Over the year since the technology was introduced in Móstoles, 14 women have undergone treatment. The medical staff not only perform these procedures but also share their expertise with colleagues from other autonomous regions, including the Canary Islands, Catalonia, Galicia, and the Basque Country.
Microwave thermoablation differs from other minimally invasive methods, such as radiofrequency ablation, by providing more even impact on tissues. It helps cut off the tumor’s blood supply and destroys hormonal receptors linked to fibroid growth. Unlike traditional surgical interventions like laparoscopy or laparotomy, the new technique does not require lengthy hospitalization and reduces the recovery period to just a few days.
However, this method is not suitable for all patients. Those for whom it is indicated can achieve a significant reduction in fibroid size and relief from symptoms, especially bleeding, within just a few months. In some cases, small growths disappear completely, while larger ones shrink by almost 90% within a year. For women undergoing infertility treatment, this approach can be a real breakthrough: IVF procedures can begin just four months after thermoablation, which is much faster than after traditional surgery.
