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The PLUM Trial: New Study of Medication to Treat Fibroids |
What is PLUM?
The PLUM study (Pilot of Letrozole to treat Uterine Leiomyoma) is a study of a medication called letrozole to treat uterine fibroids. You may be eligible for the stud if you are:
- Are a premenopausal woman
- Have fibroids that cause significant symptoms
What is letrozole?
Letrozole is a pill that is used for many different purposes in women’s health including treatment of infertility, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. Letrozole is a non-hormonal medication called an aromatase inhibitor. Letrozole works by shrinking down fibroid size to improve fibroid-related symptoms. Although letrozole is used to treat some gynecologic conditions, it is approved by the FDA for a different purpose: to treat postmenopausal women with hormone sensitive breast cancer. Therefore, in this study, the use of letrozole in considered investigational (not FDA approved).
Why is this study being done?
Although some gynecologists use letrozole in their clinical practice to treat women with fibroids, there have been very few studies to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. This goal of this study is to understand how the use of letrozole impacts fibroid-related symptoms and fibroid size.
Can my fibroids be treated with letrozole?
Women who are having symptoms related to fibroids such as heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, or urinary frequency may be eligible for treatment with letrozole. At your initial visit, you and the gynecologist will discuss your symptoms and your treatment goals, and review the position and size of your fibroids with radiology imaging (pelvic ultrasound and/or MRI). We will also review with you other possible treatment options for your fibroid-related symptoms including nonsurgical and surgical options.
How can I make an appointment for to discuss enrolling in the PLUM study of letrozole?
If you are interested in letrozole treatment for fibroids, please contact our research coordinators at 415-297-3114 or [email protected].
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Visit our ULTRA Study website for complete details. |
THE ULTRA STUDY: ULTRA is a study of a new, FDA approved fibroid treatment called radiofrequency ablation (Acessa™) . This procedure uses heat to destroy fibroid tissue during a laparoscopic surgery. Women return home on the same day as the procedure and are back to their normal activities in 5-9 days. The goal of the study is to evaluate how fibroid symptoms change over time after radiofrequency ablation (Acessa™) . If you participate in the ULTRA study, you will receive radiofrequency ablation (Acessa™) and complete questionnaires about your fibroid symptoms and reproductive health. You may be eligible to participate in the study if you:
- Are at least 21 years of age
- Have uterine fibroids that cause heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure or discomfort, urinary or bowel symptoms, or dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse)
- Are able to undergo laparoscopic surgery
You can read more about the ULTRA study at http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01840124
If you are interested in participating in ULTRA, please contact the study coordinator at 415-297-3114 or by e-mail: [email protected]
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For more information on our Comprehensive Fibroid Center, please visit our website. |