Hackensack University Medical Center Performs Innovative and Novel Treatment to Shrink Cervical Fibroids

Woman's Fertility Preserved with Minimally Invasive Cervical Fibroid Embolization Procedure

MaryBeth Stancato of New Milford always knew she wanted several children. At the age of 37 and the mother of three children, MaryBeth and her husband wanted a fourth child. But, she wasn't sure if she would be able to have another baby.

"Two years ago, my cycle was changing in that both the duration and frequency of my period had increased," recalls MaryBeth. "I was getting my period almost every two weeks and it was lasting for two weeks. I constantly felt as though I had my period. And, it was very heavy."

The bleeding was so heavy that MaryBeth was given a blood transfusion. It was determined that she suffered from a cervical fibroid, which is a benign tumor. When symptomatic, cervical fibroids can cause various clinical problems including infertility and most commonly, excessive vaginal bleeding.

Cervical fibroids are relatively rare as opposed to the more common locations in the uterus. In addition to bleeding, cervical fibroids can also block the endocervical canal (birth canal), cause recurrent pregnancy loss and obstruction of labor (dystocia) leading to high rates of cesarean delivery, cesarean hysterectomy, postpartum hemorrhage and blood transfusion.

MaryBeth's gynecologist referred her to John DeMeritt, M.D., assistant director of Interventional Radiology at Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center. Dr. DeMeritt specializes in minimally invasive endovascular techniques including fibroid and enlarged prostate (BPH) embolization.

"I came to his office looking for options in treating my fibroid. I knew that I wanted something non-invasive. When I met the team, I knew it was a perfect fit for me."

Cervical fibroids, which are supplied by small arteries that arise directly from the main uterine artery, are the most difficult to treat conservatively with either surgery (myomectomy) or a procedure known as uterine artery embolization (UAE).

"While uterine artery embolization is a very effective alternative to myomectomy or hysterectomy for fibroids in the remainder of the uterus, it rarely works for cervical fibroids," according to Dr. DeMeritt. "We devised a new and innovative approach, which included using a micro-catheter to deliver much smaller particles than are typically used directly to the artery that feeds the cervix. Advanced imaging techniques, including Cone Beam CT, were used to ensure the particles were delivered to the proper location. Selecting the cervical arteries directly also spared the remainder of the uterus to the potentially injurious effects of the much smaller particles."

During the procedure, MaryBeth was awake and watched the entire process on a monitor.

"The procedure was painless," said MaryBeth. "They inserted a catheter into my leg and located the fibroid and blocked the blood flow to it with very small particles.  I watched Dr. DeMeritt and his team perform the embolization procedure in real-time. I felt very safe and calm the entire time."

"Cervical fibroid embolization is yet another demonstration of Hackensack Meridian Health's commitment to innovative medicine and the enhancement of quality patient care," said Michael Horton, administrative director, Clinical Operations at Hackensack University Medical Center.

After the embolization procedure, MaryBeth's vaginal bleeding immediately stopped and she was discharged from the medical center the following day. Three months later, MaryBeth discovered she was pregnant. In February of 2017, gave birth to her fourth child, Francesco Valentino.

"When I was told of my options, the possibility of not having any more children was scary," said MaryBeth. "I didn't want to have a hysterectomy. I wanted to have a large family. Dr. DeMeritt gave my husband and me an opportunity to have another baby. I will be forever grateful to Dr. DeMeritt and his team."

"Not only was this procedure the most minimally invasive of our options, but it also preserved MaryBeth's fertility," said Dr. DeMeritt. "In addition, she had no complications during her pregnancy and was able to deliver a healthy baby vaginally. What's more, the final fibroid volume reduction of 96 % was beyond all expectations. We couldn't be happier for MaryBeth and her family and look forward to offering this novel treatment to more patients."

Photo

MaryBeth Stancato of New Milford (left) holds her son, Francesco Valentino, who was born a year after she underwent a non-invasive procedure to treat her cervical fibroid. John DeMeritt, M.D., assistant director of Interventional Radiology at Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center performed the procedure. Dr. DeMeritt specializes in minimally invasive endovascular techniques including fibroid and enlarged prostate (BPH) embolization.

About Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center

Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center, a 781-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county's first hospital, it is now part of one of the largest networks in the state comprised of 33,000 team members and more than 6,500 physicians. Hackensack University Medical Center was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report's 2017-18 Best Hospital rankings - maintaining its place atop the NJ rankings since the rating system was introduced. It was also named one of the top four New York Metro Area hospitals. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more years in a row. Becker's Hospital Review recognized Hackensack University Medical Center as one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America 2017. The medical center is one of the top 25 green hospitals in the country according to Practice Greenhealth, and received 24 Gold Seals of Approval™ by The Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its fifth consecutive designation in 2014. Hackensack University Medical Center has created an entire campus of award-winning care, including: the John Theurer Cancer Center; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women's and Children's Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Women's Hospital, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center and listed on the Green Guide's list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Hackensack University Medical Center is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and is Official Medical Services Provider to The Northern Trust PGA Golf Tournament. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events especially the Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign providing much needed research at the Children's Cancer Institute housed at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital. To learn more, visit www.HackensackUMC.org.