Fibroid tumors (uterine muscle)

Pelvis | Gynecology | Fibroid tumors (uterine muscle) (Disease)


Description

Fibroids are the most common benign tumors in females and typically found during the middle and later reproductive years. While most fibroids are asymptomatic, they can grow and cause heavy and painful menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, and urinary frequency and urgency. Some fibroids may interfere with pregnancy although this appears to be very rare. Other common names are uterine leiomyoma, myoma, fibromyoma, fibroleiomyoma.

Abnormal uterine bleeding is the most common symptom of a fibroid. If the tumors are near the uterine lining, or interfere with the blood flow to the lining, they can cause heavy periods, painful periods, prolonged periods or spotting between menses. Women with excessive bleeding due to fibroids may develop iron deficiency anemia. Uterine fibroids that are deteriorating can sometimes cause severe, localized pain.

Fibroids can also cause a number of symptoms depending on their size, location within the uterus, and how close they are to adjacent pelvic organs. Large fibroids can cause: pressure, pelvic pain, pressure on the bladder with frequent or even obstructed urination, and pressure on the rectum with pain during defecation.

Causes and Risk factors

Fibroids, or myomas, are growths or benign tumours that form inside the uterus (womb). Around four in 10 women over the age of 40 will have fibroids. It is not known why fibroids develop, but it’s thought that the sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, play key roles. This is because fibroids rarely grow in girls before puberty and women after menopause. Pre-existing fibroids stop growing and can even shrink in women after menopause.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Treatment for a uterine tumor depends on the type of tumor. Treatment for a uterine tumor may include hormone therapy, surgery to remove the tumor, hysterectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. ...