How we treated 1,000 women with fibroids without surgery – Nordica MD

At least 1,000 women with uterine fibroids and adenomyosis have undergone non-surgical treatment at the Fibroid Care Centre, Nordica, in a major milestone for advanced gynaecological care in Nigeria.

The centre uses High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, a non-invasive technology that targets and destroys fibroid tissue without the need for conventional surgery.

The development offers renewed hope to women living with fibroids, particularly those who wish to preserve their fertility and avoid the risks, recovery time, and potential complications associated with surgery.

For many women diagnosed with fibroids, the prospect of undergoing surgery can be daunting, especially for those hoping to have children.

Concerns about losing the uterus, difficulty conceiving, blood transfusion, and prolonged hospital stays have discouraged many women from seeking treatment.

Over the years, the main treatment options for uterine fibroids have included invasive procedures such as myomectomy, which removes the fibroids, and hysterectomy, which involves removing the uterus.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fibroid Care Centre, Nordica, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, said the completion of its 1,000th HIFU treatment offers an opportunity to look beyond the number and consider the wider evolution of fibroid and adenomyosis care in Nigeria.

Speaking at a special White Party in Lekki, Lagos, to mark the five-year milestone, Ajayi said the treatment focused not only on eliminating fibroids but also on improving women’s overall health and well-being.

The event brought together healthcare professionals, past patients, partners, stakeholders and guests to reflect on the journey to 1,000 HIFU treatments and what the milestone represents for the future of fibroid care.

According to him,  the true value of medical technology is not measured by how sophisticated the machine is, but by what it changes for the patient.

HIFU, he noted, is a modern, non-invasive medical treatment used to manage uterine fibroids without the need for surgery.

Ajayi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nordica Fertility Centre, said through its HIFU programme, FCC continues to invest in technology, specialised expertise and patient-centred care while helping to increase awareness of treatment options available to women.

The fertility specialist noted that physicians must look beyond treating fibroids to address the physical, psychological, social and reproductive challenges women face.

“This milestone is not about the machine; it is about choice. For too long, women had only one choice. We have completed 1,000 treatments, and the next 1,000 will come faster because West African women deserve world-class care.

 “When we look at uterine fibroids and adenomyosis through the clinical lens, every clinician in this room knows that the true impact of these conditions extends far beyond the physical symptoms. Fibroids and adenomyosis represent a multidimensional crisis for women. It is psychological and social as well”, he said.

Ajayi said fibroids are tumour-like, non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can sometimes stop a woman from becoming pregnant because they can create problems for the fertilized egg attaching to the lining of the uterus.

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The maternal health expert explained that the quality of life of women with fibroids is disturbed by the symptoms they encounter, stressing that the symptoms come in the form of heavy bleeding and anaemia.

According to him, the bleeding can be irregular depending on the location of these fibroids, and there might be a bump that is mistaken for pregnancy.

He noted that a non-invasive way to treat uterine fibroids is available in Nigeria, affirming that the procedure can be a better option for women.

“For every woman who bled every month and thought it was normal, this is for you. For every woman who was told, ‘You no longer need your uterus; just remove it,’ this is for you,” Ajayi said.

The consultant gynaecologist noted that the technology uses real-time ultrasound waves to generate localised heat, precisely targeting individual fibroids to destroy the tissue.

“HIFU has several advantages, particularly because it eliminates the need for surgery. Recovery is short, there is no risk of blood loss or damage to surrounding organs, and patients can return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours.

“Unlike other treatments, HIFU offers a low rate of complications, even as the use of general anaesthesia is eliminated.

“Most importantly, HIFU preserves fertility, and you can conceive and have normal pregnancies after treatment”, Ajayi said.

He said his experience treating women with fibroids and adenomyosis over the past five years had reinforced the need to consider their circumstances and quality of life alongside clinical findings.

“We must never ignore the psychological and social burden these conditions place on women. We now work with a psychologist to support some of our patients,” he said.

Ajayi chronicled the journey of HIFU introduction in the country, which he said began in 2021, when FCC at Nordica introduced the first ultrasound-guided HIFU service for fibroid treatment in Nigeria and West Africa.

He said HIFU was first introduced in South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria before being adopted in Kenya, with thousands of women embracing the procedure.

 “When we introduced HIFU to West Africa, our goal was simple but ambitious: to offer precise ablative treatment that destroys targeted tissue without surgical incisions or removal of the uterus,” he said.

Ajayi said HIFU is now used in more than 37 countries and has successfully treated over 500,000 women with fibroids without surgery.

Giving further insight into the 1,000 treatments, Ajayi said their significance went beyond clinical indicators, such as reductions in fibroid volume and the severity of symptoms.

“Today, as we reflect on 1,000 treatments, we are not merely presenting clinical safety data, volume reduction rates, or improvements in symptom severity scores. We are celebrating 1,000 opportunities to restore lives. We are talking about women returning to their families and careers, reclaiming their bodily integrity and regaining hope,” he said.