The Fibroid Center

What are uterine fibroids?

Fibroids are benign, non-cancerous tumors of the uterus.

Fibroids are most common among women in their 30s and 40s. Some families are predisposed to fibroids. African American women are at higher risk.

It is estimated that 50 percent or more women will eventually develop fibroids during their lifetime. Most fibroids may not cause problems. However, fibroids can cause the following conditions:

• Heavier prolonged menstrual bleeding, sometimes with passage of blood clots
• Infertility or miscarriage
• Abnormally enlarged abdomen
• Frequent urination or constipation
• Bladder pressure leading to a constant urge to urinate

How are fibroids diagnosed?

Fibroids are usually detected during a gynecological internal examination and confirmed by imaging through an ultrasound or MRI. Your doctor will conduct a pelvic exam to feel if the uterus is enlarged.

How are fibroids treated?

Most fibroids do not require treatment. Fibroids that do not cause problems can safely be monitored over time.

In the past, women have been treated with surgical hysterectomy to remove fibroids. St. Luke’s Fibroid Center takes a multidisciplinary approach to treating uterine fibroids and offers non-invasive and minimally invasive approaches to find the most effective and appropriate treatment option for each patient.

Treatment options for uterine fibroids are discussed during the initial consultation at St. Luke’s Fibroid Center from physicians specializing in uterine fibroid treatment.

St. Luke’s Fibroid Center offers many treatment options:

• Drug therapies to shrink uterine fibroids
• Robotically-assisted, laparoscopic or hysteroscopic myomectomy, which are minimally invasive surgical approaches to remove uterine fibroids
• Endometrial Ablation – a minimally invasive procedure in which the lining of the uterus is removed to control very heavy bleeding.
• Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks fibroids by blocking the arteries that supply blood to the fibroid.
• Laparoscopic hysterectomy (or partial laparoscopic hysterectomy) – the surgical removal of the uterus and fibroids performed through tiny abdominal incisions with a laparoscope

To request an appointment or consultation, please call St. Luke’s Fibroid Center at 1-877-495-SLFC (7532).

Appointments
We appreciate the importance of your time and will make every effort to honor your scheduled appointment time. However, we ask for your understanding if uncontrollable delays occur. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the appointment and bring along the results of any diagnostic studies, such as ultrasound, CT scan or MRI, to the visit.

Insurances/Referrals
Our office accepts most major insurance plans, including a number of managed care plans (HMOs). Please check with our office for a full list of accepted insurance plans. Co-payments are not billable and are due at the time of your office visit. Please bring all insurance information, including insurance cards, to all appointments. For your convenience, our office accepts payment in the form of cash, check, Visa, MasterCard and Discover Card.

St. Luke’s Fibroid Center
240 Cetronia Road
Suite 125 S.
Allentown, PA 18104

Maps & Directions

For an appointment or consultation, please call 1-877-495-SLFC (7532).

Directions to St. Luke’s Fibroid Center

From Route 22 East or West
Take Route 22 to PA-309 South toward Quakertown. Exit at the Tilghman Street West ramp and merge in the left lane. Continue directions below from Tilghman Street.

From Route 78 East
Take Route 78 West to PA-309 North. Exit at the Tilghman Street West ramp and merge in the left lane. Continue directions below from Tilghman Street.

From Tilghman Street
Turn left onto Hausman Road. Josh Early Candies is on the corner. Hausman Road becomes Cetronia Road. At the third light, make a right at the Integrated Health Campus complex. The office is located at 250 Cetronia Road, Suite 305. Free valet parking is available.

Maps & Directions

St. Luke’s Fibroid Physicians

Michael S. Patriarco, DO

Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

• Osteopathic medical degree from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health in Des Moines, Iowa
• Completed residency program in obstetrics and gynecology at Lehigh Valley Hospital
• Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

More about Dr. Patriarco

Hal L. Folander, MD

Chairman of the Department of Radiology
Section Chief, Interventional Radiology,
St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network

• Medical Degree, New York University School of Medicine
• Radiology Residency and Chief Radiology Resident, University of Connecticut Health Center
• Vascular and Interventional Radiology Fellowships, University of Massachusetts Medical Center
• Board Certified in Radiology with a certificate of added qualification in Vascular and Interventional Radiology

Prashant R. Patel, MD

• Medical Degree, Temple University Hospital
• Radiology Residency, the Western Pennsylvania Hospital
• Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Fellowship, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
• Board Certified in Radiology with a certificate of added qualification in Vascular and Interventional Radiology

More about Dr. Patel

Ellen A Redstone, MD

• Medical Degree, University of Medicine and Dentistry - University Hospital
• Radiology Residency, University of Medicine and Dentistry - University Hospital
• Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Fellowship, Cornell Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital/Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Board Certified in Radiology with a certificate of added qualification in Vascular and Interventional Radiology

More about Dr. Redstone

Michael A Ringold, MD

• Medical Degree, Temple University School of Medicine
• Diagnostic Radiology Residency, Temple University
• Angiography/Interventional Radiology Fellowship, Temple University
• Board Certified in Radiology with a certificate of added qualification in Vascular and Interventional Radiology

More about Dr. Ringold

Jamie L Thomas, DO

• Medical Degree, Midwestern University
• Residency, Saint Francis Hospital
• Angiography/Interventional Radiology Fellowship, University of Chicago Hospitals
• Board Certified in Radiology with a certificate of added qualification in Vascular and Interventional Radiology

More about Dr. Thomas