ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effect of Embosphere microsphere artery embolization on the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with uterine fibroid. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From March 2014 to December 2015, 128 women in child-bearing age with uterine intramural fibroids were enrolled in the patient group. At the same time, 128 healthy cases in child-bearing age were randomly selected and enrolled in the control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum level of VEGF, and immunohistochemical staining method was used to study the expression of VEGF in the uterine fibroids. Embosphere microsphere artery embolization surgery was performed on cases in the patient group. RESULTS: The serum level of VEGF in the patient group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Immunohistochemical staining results showed that in the control group, VEGF expression level in uterine fibroid tissue was significantly higher. Compared with before the treatment, tumor diameter in the patient group reduced significantly 3 months after the treatment. Erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, and menstrual blood volume increased significantly 6 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Serum VEGF level can be considered as a marker for uterine fibroid, and by using VEGF as a marker we can increase the probability of early diagnosis. We showed that, compared with hysterectomy, Embosphere microsphere embolization had an evident advantage and might be an excellent candidate to replace hysterectomy.
