Dr. Mary Marcelle Costantino, MD

I provide a unique service that is not found elsewhere in Oregon. In 1999 during my fourth year of medical school, I worked on a research project with Scott Goodwin, M.D., the first interventional radiologist to perform uterine artery embolization (UAE) in the United States. I was struck by the success of this uterine-sparing procedure used to treat uterine fibroids. Because fibroids are the No. 1 indication for hysterectomy in the United States, I realized how many women could be spared a hysterectomy if they had access to UAE. To date, more than 15,000 women have opted for UAE to treat uterine fibroids. Many women are attracted to UAE for three reasons: it is minimally invasive, uterine sparing and requires only one week of recovery time, versus four-six for a hysterectomy. The success rates for UAE are so high, that in 2008 the American College of Gynecology deemed UAE a Level A treatment for fibroids, along with hormonal therapy, myomectomy and hysterectomy.

After my experience …with UAE in 1999, I decided to become an interventional radiologist. This decision surprised my mentors in medical school because I enjoyed clinical medicine and always opted to do more of it than I had to for medical school requirements; usually those who go into the procedural or surgical specialties, and certainly diagnostic radiology, are not those who want to practice clinical medicine. In keeping with the theme, I chose to do an internship in internal medicine at Stanford, which would really push me to develop my clinical acumen, both in the outpatient and inpatient environments.

Following the internship, I completed my diagnostic radiology residency in Portland, Ore., at Oregon Health & Science University. Throughout my training I remained open to new ideas, though the fire for providing women's interventional services never extinguished. For two years I started my family, and worked as a diagnostic radiologist at OHSU and the VA.

In 2008, I moved my family to Washington DC to train at Georgetown University. I trained under James Spies, M.D., the country's leading fibroid expert. There are only several fibroid programs in the country, and Dr. Spies' is the largest and most fine-tuned - both in the clinical care of patients and the technical aspects of the procedures, including the evaluation, and pre- and post-procedure management. Although moving my children and husband for the year was not easy, I wanted to bring Dr. Spies' expertise back to the Northwest.

In 2011, at long last, my partners and I started the Women's Interventional Program. Our goal is to ensure that every woman with fibroids knows that uterine artery embolization is a treatment option, and that every woman can make an informed decision that is best for them about the treatment. Having a dedicated program allows us to offer the best pre- and post-procedure care, as well as be technically excellent. Along with the treatment of fibroids, the Women's Interventional Program also includes treatment for pelvic pain and thrombus/DVT. I am one of two female interventional radiologists in Oregon, and I do believe that because of that I am better able to relate to my patients' concerns.

After 12 years of following my passion, it is an honor for me to finally be able to bring a women's interventional radiology practice to Legacy Health's medical centers.