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FibroidsWhat is a fibroid? A fibroid is a benign smooth-muscle tumor, usually in the uterus or gastrointestinal tract. It is also called a leiomyoma. Fibroids in the uterus are very common whereas fibroids in the gastrointestinal tract are quite rare. Therefore, although the medical term fibroid is correctly used for fibrous tumors of both the uterus and gastrointestinal tract, the term fibroid is almost exclusively used to describe fibrous tumors in the uterus. Fibroid description Uterine fibroids or leiomyomata are areas of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in or on the uterine wall. Fibroids are composed of uterine smooth muscle cells that are "monoclonal", i.e., all of the muscle cells in a leiomyoma are descendents of one cell that has reproduced itself extensively. Fibroids may grow as a single nodule or in clusters and may range in size from 1 mm to more than 20 cm in diameter. Fibroids are the most frequently diagnosed tumor of the female pelvis and the most common reason for a woman to have a hysterectomy. Fibroids are often referred to as tumors, but they are not cancerous. The cause of fibroids has not been determined but most fibroids develop in women during their reproductive years. Fibroids need a rich blood supply and estrogen to grow. Once menopause has begun, fibroids generally stop growing and can begin to shrink due to the loss of estrogen. Women may have one or many fibroids of one type or a number of different types. Fibroids are very common. Approximately 25 percent of women have fibroids large enough to cause symptoms. It is estimated that 20-50% of women have, or will have, fibroids at some time in their lives. Many women do have symptoms and may not know that they have fibroids because they don't have uterine fibroid symptoms. Types of fibroids Fibroids are categorised by where they grow in the uterus. Intramural fibroids are located in the wall of the uterus and are the most common. They can cause the uterus to bulge. Click to see illustration. Submucous or Submucosal fibroids are found within uterine lining and can protrude into the uterine cavity. Generally, these are ones that can cause the most problems. Since they are located in the uterine endometrium, they can cause heavy orrolonged bleeding during menstruation. Click to see illustration. Subserous or Subserosal fibroids develop on the outside of the uterus and usually have the least symptoms. Subserous fibroids can become pedunculated as they grow, meaning they can develop a stalk. Subserous fibroids can grow to be very large. Click to see illustration. Until recently, hysterectomy was the preferred option for treating symptomatic fibroids. Now, however, there are a number of uterine fibroid treatments. What are my uterine fibroids treatment alternatives? Learn about a new MR Guided focused ultrasound treatment which destroys fibroids without incisions |
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