How Non-Invasive Ultrasound Technology Offers New Hope for Women with Fibroids

By Dennis Muritu

A revolutionary shift in the medical treatment for fibroids is gaining momentum with the increasing adoption of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) ablation, a groundbreaking non-invasive technology now being utilized to treat uterine fibroids in Kenya. This innovative approach employs precisely directed ultrasound waves, presenting a compelling alternative to traditional surgical procedures. By offering the potential to effectively treat fibroids without incisions. HIFU promises reduced recovery time and minimized surgical complications for patients.

At the core of this advancement lies the fundamental principle of ultrasound, sound waves operating at frequencies beyond human hearing, exceeding 20,000 Hertz. HIFU technology focuses these high-frequency sound waves onto a specific target within the body, creating a concentrated energy beam. This focused ultrasound allows clinicians to precisely target and treat diseased tissue, specifically fibroids, with remarkable accuracy.

The process of HIFU ablation can be likened to focusing the sun’s rays through a magnifying glass. Just as the lens concentrates solar energy to a single point, generating intense heat, HIFU technology focuses ultrasound waves to create a thermal lesion within a fibroid. This localized heat, reaching temperatures of 65-100∘ Celsius or higher, induces irreversible coagulative necrosis, effectively destroying the fibroid cells. Crucially, this process occurs without damaging the surrounding healthy tissues, a process known as conformal ablation.

The HIFU System, developed by Chongqing Haifu Medical Technology Co., Ltd., with first treatment in 1997, at the forefront of this cutting-edge technology. This sophisticated system, encompassing various models like the JC, JC200, JC300 represents years of dedicated research and development. Each model is tailored to specific clinical applications, ensuring optimal treatment outcomes for a diverse range of patients.

The clinical applications of the HIFU System extend to the effective non-surgical treatment of uterine fibroids and adenomyosis, often debilitating conditions for women. This system offers an alternative to hysterectomy (surgical removal of the womb/uterus,) or myomectomy (surgical removal of fibroids).

The global adoption of the HIFU System highlights its efficacy and safety. Clinicians in 33 countries and regions worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Egypt, Argentina, Singapore, Korea, Japan, South Africa, and Nigeria, have embraced this technology. The international recognition of HIFU’s benefits is growing, with leading medical institutions like the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, UK, pioneering its use from 2002. In Spain, health officials have advocated for its widespread adoption in treating uterine fibroids and adenomyosis. The use of the system in South Korea is also very widespread, with FDA approvals for several indications.

The sheer volume of patients treated with the HIFU ablation System, exceeds 318,572 as of December 2024; this underscores its reliability and effectiveness. This extensive body of clinical data, coupled with numerous studies published in peer-reviewed journals, provides compelling evidence of HIFU’s safety and efficacy in treating fibroids.

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Clinical studies have consistently demonstrated that HIFU ablation achieves comparable outcomes to traditional surgical procedures for fibroids, with the added advantage of significantly fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and lower overall medical costs. The non-invasive nature of the procedure, eliminating the need for incisions, punctures, or bleeding, translates to reduced pain and faster recovery times for patients.

Furthermore, HIFU ablation often eliminates the need for general or spinal anesthesia, particularly in the treatment of benign fibroids. The treatment is not limited by the size or shape of the fibroid, and it preserves healthy organs, minimizing collateral damage. In many cases, a single treatment session is sufficient, Sometimes, the procedure can be repeated if necessary, offering a flexible and adaptable treatment strategy. Real-time ultrasound imaging allows for precision during the procedure.

While the adoption of HIFU ablation is expanding, the HIFU System, with its high energy output, is distinguished by its ability to often achieve complete fibroid ablation in a single session. This efficiency translates to better patient outcomes and reduced treatment burden.

The overall effectiveness of HIFU ablation for fibroids exceeds 95%, offering a high success rate for patients. In cases where treatment outcomes are less than optimal, clinicians can pursue alternative strategies, including repeat HIFU.

Ultrasound image can show clear results immediately after procedure that the fibroids are dead tissue without blood supply.  However, fibroid shrinkage following HIFU ablation is a gradual process, occurring over 1-6 months. While recurrence in different place is possible, repeat HIFU treatments offer a safe and effective solution. The cost of HIFU ablation varies depending on several factors, but it is often lower than minimal invasive surgery primarily due to shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, no scar and bleeding, no injury to neighboring tissues, fertility preservation etc.

Our first client shares her experience at Nairobi HIFU Center.

L.O, a patient in Nairobi recovering from fibroids, recently shared her positive experience with HIFU treatment at HIFU Medical Services, Nairobi. L.O had been experiencing symptoms of excessive bleeding and abdominal bloating for approximately seven years before undergoing the HIFU procedure on February 18th.

“I feel okay because the procedure went on very well and it was very seamless and I’ve had an easy recovery period,” noted L.O. “I had a bit of abdominal discomfort and also a bit of fatigue which was resolved within the first and second week of my procedure.”

She reported feeling much better, with reduced abdominal bloating and increased energy levels. “My back pain is less and I feel like I am on the right track,” she added.

She expressed her encouragement for other patients experiencing similar symptoms like she had to consider the benefits of this non-invasive procedure.

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“My hospital stay was brief, I was here in the morning and left by the evening, and so it was very convenient and also painless for me,” L.O stated. She urged other patients with similar symptoms to seek treatment at the Nairobi Hifu center.

Dr. Kireki, Omanwa President of the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (KOGS), highlighted that HIFU is a novel and non-invasive method for treating fibroids.

He emphasized that fibroids and adenomyosis affect a significant number of women, particularly during their reproductive years, and that HIFU Medical Services Nairobi, houses one of the very few such machines in Africa.

“We have one machine in Nairobi, one machine in Egypt, two in Nigeria, one in Tanzania, and one in South Africa, making a total of six machines in the whole of Africa,” Dr. Kireki explained that over 3000 cases had been treated in Africa.

He pointed out the prevalence of fibroids among women of African origin during their reproductive years.

“The way to treat fibroids traditionally is by surgery – open or laparoscopically. This entails taking patients to theatre, where we cut them so that we are able to get to the fibroids and remove them, but the HIFU method is non-invasive,” Dr. Kireki noted.

“The women don’t go to the theatre, so they don’t need anesthesia, and they don’t need recovery time in the ward. This has a huge advantage for the patients both physically and psychologically too” Dr. Kireki mentioned

“Adenomyosis is a problem whereby women have very painful periods because what you call the lining of the endometrium is embedded in the uterus. HIFU is a good method for women who don’t want to have surgery and want to continue having children,” the Doctor explained.

He advised women experiencing problems with fibroids to inquire about HIFU from their gynecologists. “As the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, we are very happy that we have another method of treating women.”