yulius hermantoUterine Fibroids
May 13th 2009 15:30
Definition
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of uterine smooth muscles (leiomyoma). This tumor perhaps the most common tumor in female genital tract, about 20-50% of reproductive women have this disease.
Uterine fibroids also multiple lesions rather than solitary. They can range in size from very tiny (a quarter of an inch) to larger than a cantaloupe. Occasionally, they can cause the uterus to grow to the size of a five-month pregnancy. In most cases, there is more than one fibroid in the uterus.
This tumor also a major caused of hysterectomy.
What cause it?
Like others tumors, exact explanation is not clearly defined. But mostly related loss control of cell growth caused by genetic rearrangement.
This tumor is estrogen-responsive. That explained, why this tumor occurs mostly at reproductive age, and rarely found at menopausal/post-menopausal age. In the pregnancy, this tumor can dramatically increase in size, because estrogen level is increased. And shrink back to pre-pregnancy size after pregnancy. In menopause, this tumor decrease in size dramatically.
Kinds of Uterine Fibroids, based on growth location:
1. Submucosal,
These are just under the lining of the uterus. These are the least common fibroids, but they tend to cause the most problems. Even a very small submucosal fibroid can cause heavy bleeding - gushing, very heavy and prolonged periods.
2. Intramural,
These develop within the lining of the uterus and expand inward, increasing the size of the uterus, and making it feel larger than normal in a gynecologic internal exam. These are the most common fibroids. Intramural fibroids can result in heavier menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain, back pain or the generalized pressure that many women experience.
3. Subserosal
These develop under the outside covering of the uterus and expand outward through the wall, giving the uterus a knobby appearance. They typically do not affect a woman's menstrual flow, but can cause pelvic pain, back pain and generalized pressure.
Signs and symptoms
Most are asymptomatic. Symptoms occur depend on location and size of tumor. Symptoms that can occur such as:
* Heavy, prolonged menstrual periods and unusual monthly bleeding, sometimes with clots.
* Pelvic pain and pressure
* Pain in the back and legs
* Pain during sexual intercourse
* Bladder pressure leading to a frequent urge to urinate
* Pressure on the bowel, leading to constipation and bloating
* Abnormally enlarged abdomen
Fibroids in pregnant women increase the frequency of spontaneous abortion, fetal malpresentation, uterine inertia, and postpartum hemorrhage. And malignant transformation to leiomyosarcoma is rare.
How to Diagnose this disease?
At first, your doctor gonna ask several questions related to your complaints and risk factors
to reach an initial hypothesize.
Then, your doctor will do a physical examination, especially around your abdomen and genital area, you may feel discomfort but it isn't harmful in order to find any abnormal signs.
After finishing the examination, your doctor will have clinical diagnosis for your disease, but you may need to have another procedure to get definite diagnosis. In this case, especially imaging such as USG, MRI, hysteroscopy, etc.
Treatment
Treatment of this tumor depends on location and size.
* Conservative
Patient with small and asymptomatic fibroids doesn't need intervention, but should be monitored.
* Medications
Therapy that can decrease volume or cease tumor growth permanently is not available yet. Medications is used as adjuvant therapy or temporary before surgery. Drugs being used is anti-estrogen. So you should ask about benefits and risks of using drugs for your general health condition.
* Uterine Fibroid Embolization
This procedure blocks blood supply to tumor thus caused degeneration of tumor
* Surgical
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of uterine smooth muscles (leiomyoma). This tumor perhaps the most common tumor in female genital tract, about 20-50% of reproductive women have this disease.
Uterine fibroids also multiple lesions rather than solitary. They can range in size from very tiny (a quarter of an inch) to larger than a cantaloupe. Occasionally, they can cause the uterus to grow to the size of a five-month pregnancy. In most cases, there is more than one fibroid in the uterus.
This tumor also a major caused of hysterectomy.
What cause it?
Like others tumors, exact explanation is not clearly defined. But mostly related loss control of cell growth caused by genetic rearrangement.
This tumor is estrogen-responsive. That explained, why this tumor occurs mostly at reproductive age, and rarely found at menopausal/post-menopausal age. In the pregnancy, this tumor can dramatically increase in size, because estrogen level is increased. And shrink back to pre-pregnancy size after pregnancy. In menopause, this tumor decrease in size dramatically.
Kinds of Uterine Fibroids, based on growth location:
1. Submucosal,
These are just under the lining of the uterus. These are the least common fibroids, but they tend to cause the most problems. Even a very small submucosal fibroid can cause heavy bleeding - gushing, very heavy and prolonged periods.
These develop within the lining of the uterus and expand inward, increasing the size of the uterus, and making it feel larger than normal in a gynecologic internal exam. These are the most common fibroids. Intramural fibroids can result in heavier menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain, back pain or the generalized pressure that many women experience.
3. Subserosal
These develop under the outside covering of the uterus and expand outward through the wall, giving the uterus a knobby appearance. They typically do not affect a woman's menstrual flow, but can cause pelvic pain, back pain and generalized pressure.
Signs and symptoms
Most are asymptomatic. Symptoms occur depend on location and size of tumor. Symptoms that can occur such as:
* Heavy, prolonged menstrual periods and unusual monthly bleeding, sometimes with clots.
* Pelvic pain and pressure
* Pain in the back and legs
* Pain during sexual intercourse
* Bladder pressure leading to a frequent urge to urinate
* Pressure on the bowel, leading to constipation and bloating
* Abnormally enlarged abdomen
Fibroids in pregnant women increase the frequency of spontaneous abortion, fetal malpresentation, uterine inertia, and postpartum hemorrhage. And malignant transformation to leiomyosarcoma is rare.
How to Diagnose this disease?
At first, your doctor gonna ask several questions related to your complaints and risk factors
to reach an initial hypothesize.
Then, your doctor will do a physical examination, especially around your abdomen and genital area, you may feel discomfort but it isn't harmful in order to find any abnormal signs.
After finishing the examination, your doctor will have clinical diagnosis for your disease, but you may need to have another procedure to get definite diagnosis. In this case, especially imaging such as USG, MRI, hysteroscopy, etc.
Treatment
Treatment of this tumor depends on location and size.
* Conservative
Patient with small and asymptomatic fibroids doesn't need intervention, but should be monitored.
* Medications
Therapy that can decrease volume or cease tumor growth permanently is not available yet. Medications is used as adjuvant therapy or temporary before surgery. Drugs being used is anti-estrogen. So you should ask about benefits and risks of using drugs for your general health condition.
* Uterine Fibroid Embolization
This procedure blocks blood supply to tumor thus caused degeneration of tumor
* Surgical
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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it it always pleasing to see people writing on womens health issues
Comment by yulius hermanto
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Woman health is interesting to discuss.
I put the greatest honor for woman.