Am I a Candidate for HIFU?

The situations where HIFU performs well are as well defined as the situations where it should not be used. This page describes both, as they are.

Factors considered in the assessment

Fibroid size and number

Very small fibroids usually need no treatment at all; with very large or numerous fibroids, reaching sufficient ablation in a single session becomes harder. Clinical studies have mostly enrolled fibroids within certain size ranges; what range matters for you becomes clear in the physician review.

Fibroid type and location

Fibroids are classified by their position in the uterine wall (the international FIGO classification). Fibroids within the wall are frequently assessed for HIFU, while pedunculated fibroids — attached by a stalk — have generally been excluded in clinical studies. Location also determines whether the ultrasound beam can reach the target through a safe path.

MRI tissue characteristics

General health and pregnancy plans

The procedure requires lying prone for an extended period, which some patients cannot tolerate. For patients planning pregnancy, method selection needs particular care: data on pregnancy after HIFU are limited and partly conflicting, and this deserves a frank discussion with your physician.

When is HIFU usually not appropriate?

The following are common exclusion criteria in clinical studies; the final decision is always individual:

• Pregnancy
• Suspected malignancy (diagnosis comes first, not ablation)
• Pedunculated fibroids
• Extensive scarring, bowel or other obstacles in the beam path
• Inability to lie prone for the duration of the procedure
• Degenerated fibroids that have already lost their blood supply

What if you are not a candidate?

Not being suitable for HIFU does not mean going untreated. Myomectomy, embolisation and other options are strong alternatives for different situations — and if the assessment finds HIFU unsuitable, those options are explained to you openly. Our aim is not to deliver HIFU; it is to help you identify the right treatment for your situation.

Have your case assessed

If you already have an MRI or ultrasound report, the review is faster. The assessment does not replace a medical decision; it gathers the information a physician needs.