The FIRSTT: Comparing MRgFUS(MR-guided Focused Ultrasound) Versus UAE (Uterine Artery Embolization)for Uterine Fibroids.

The primary goal of this study is to compare the safety and effectiveness of two standard fibroid treatments: MRI guided ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) and uterine artery embolization (UAE). Both treatments are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for women who do not plan to become pregnant. A second goal of this study is to better understand which symptoms bother women with fibroids the most. Understanding and addressing the symptoms of clinically-significant uterine fibroids is important in order to optimize treatment outcomes and control health care costs. Women who are eligible to participate in the study, are randomized to one of two treatment arms (UAE or MRgFUS). Women in both arms will receive treatment but will not be able to choose which treatment she will receive. A comprehensive assessment of symptoms-including experienced pain- will take place at baseline, 6 weeks, and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months following treatment with UAE and MRgFUS.

Sex

Female

Minimum age

25 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Women able to give informed consent and willing and able to attend all study visits
2. Premenopausal women at least 25 years of age
3. No evidence of High Grade SIL by pap smears or HPV testing within institutional guidelines.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Women actively trying for pregnancy or currently pregnant
2. Uterine size \> 20 weeks
3. Prior myomectomy, UAE, or MRgFUS. Previous hysteroscopic or laparoscopic myomectomy for the removal of only pedunculated leiomyomas (as described in #17, below) will be allowed and evaluated on an individual basis to determine eligibility for treatment.
4. More than 6 fibroids \> than 3 centimeters in maximal diameter
5. Allergy to either gadolinium or iodinated contrast
6. Implanted metallic device prohibiting MRI
7. Severe claustrophobia
8. BMI which prohibits subject from fitting in MRI device
9. Severe abdominal scarring precluding safe MRgFUS treatment
10. Active pelvic infection
11. Intrauterine contraceptive device in place at the time of treatment
12. Current use of GnRH agonists or antagonists
13. Unstable medical conditions requiring additional monitoring during the procedure
14. Bleeding diathesis requiring medical treatment
15. Imaging suggestive of malignant disease of uterus, ovary, or cervix
16. Imaging suggestive of only adenomyosis
17. Pedunculated submucosal or subserosal myoma with a stalk less than 25% of the maximal fibroid diameter

• DERIVEDLaughlin-Tommaso SK, Gorny KR, Hesley GK, Vaughan LE, Woodrum DA, Lemens MA, Stewart EA. Uterine and Fibroid Imaging Analysis from the FIRSTT Study. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2022 Apr;31(4):546-554. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8892. Epub 2021 Jul 8. PMID 34242085
• DERIVEDLaughlin-Tommaso S, Barnard EP, AbdElmagied AM, Vaughan LE, Weaver AL, Hesley GK, Woodrum DA, Jacoby VL, Kohi MP, Price TM, Nieves A, Miller MJ, Borah BJ, Moriarty JP, Gorny KR, Leppert PC, Severson AL, Lemens MA, Stewart EA. FIRSTT study: randomized controlled trial of uterine artery embolization vs focused ultrasound surgery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Feb;220(2):174.e1-174.e13. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.10.032. Epub 2018 Oct 26. PMID 30696556
• DERIVEDBarnard EP, AbdElmagied AM, Vaughan LE, Weaver AL, Laughlin-Tommaso SK, Hesley GK, Woodrum DA, Jacoby VL, Kohi MP, Price TM, Nieves A, Miller MJ, Borah BJ, Gorny KR, Leppert PC, Peterson LG, Stewart EA. Periprocedural outcomes comparing fibroid embolization and focused ultrasound: a randomized controlled trial and comprehensive cohort analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017 May;216(5):500.e1-500.e11. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.12.177. Epub 2017 Jan 5. PMID 28063909
• DERIVEDAbdElmagied AM, Vaughan LE, Weaver AL, Laughlin-Tommaso SK, Hesley GK, Woodrum DA, Jacoby VL, Kohi MP, Price TM, Nieves A, Miller MJ, Borah BJ, Gorny KR, Leppert PC, Lemens MA, Stewart EA. Fibroid interventions: reducing symptoms today and tomorrow: extending generalizability by using a comprehensive cohort design with a randomized controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Sep;215(3):338.e1-338.e18. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.04.001. Epub 2016 Apr 9. PMID 27073063
• DERIVEDLaughlin-Tommaso SK, Borah BJ, Stewart EA. Effect of menses on standardized assessment of sexual dysfunction among women with uterine fibroids: a cohort study. Fertil Steril. 2015 Aug;104(2):435-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.04.029. Epub 2015 May 16. PMID 25989973
• DERIVEDBouwsma EV, Hesley GK, Woodrum DA, Weaver AL, Leppert PC, Peterson LG, Stewart EA. Comparing focused ultrasound and uterine artery embolization for uterine fibroids-rationale and design of the Fibroid Interventions: reducing symptoms today and tomorrow (FIRSTT) trial. Fertil Steril. 2011 Sep;96(3):704-10. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.06.062. Epub 2011 Jul 27.