Uterine Fibroid Glossary

Ablation:
Surgical removal of a body part or tissue

Degenerating Fibroids:
When blood supply to the fibroid is cut off causing the fibroid cells to die

ExAblate® 2000:
The commercial name for the system that provides non-invasive treatment of the tumor using Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound technology. It received FDA approval in October 2004

Fibroid:
A benign smooth-muscle tumor, usually in the uterus or gastrointestinal tract

Fibrous tissue:
Scar tissue

Fibroid tumor:
Solid tumor made of fibrous tissue, most often found in the uterus

Focused ultrasound:
High frequency sound waves concentrated on a specific area, used in therapeutic and surgical applications

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonist:
A synthetic version of the natural hormone that helps trigger ovarian production of estrogen and progesterone. When given as therapy, a Gn-RH agonist instead blocks the production of the hormones and stops menstruation. May be used in conjunction with other therapies to treat uterine fibroids

HIFU:
A non-invasive therapy wherey the heat created by ultrasound waves destroys diseased tissue

Hormone:
A chemical messenger that travels through the bloodstream to regulate various body functions.

Hormonal therapy:
A drug treatment used to treat some fibroids that causes fibroid shrinkage

Hysterectomy:
Surgical removal of the uterus

Hysterosalpingography:
An X-ray procedure that uses a dye to help reveal the shape of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes

Hysteroscopy:
A procedure in which a doctor places a small, lighted instrument called a hysteroscope in the uterus to examine its walls and the openings of the fallopian tubes

Hysterosonography:
A test in which a doctor injects salt water (saline) into the cavity of the uterus, and an ultrasound probe placed in the vagina obtains images. The technique obtains more detailed images of the uterine cavity than does ultrasound alone. Also referred to as sonohysterography

Incision:
A surgical cut

Interventional radiologist:
A medical specialist who uses imaging techniques to insert tiny instruments through small nicks in the skin to diagnose and treat disease

Intramural fibroids:
Fibroids embedded in the muscular wall of the uterus

Laparoscopy:
A type of surgery in which a doctor places a laparoscope and other instruments in the abdomen through small incisions in the skin. A camera in the scope provides pictures of the inside the body. Recovery time is usually faster than with conventional open surgery, which uses larger incisions

Leiomyoma:
Solid tumor made of fibrous tissue, most often found in the uterus

Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound:
A non-invasive outpatient, surgical procedure that uses high intensity Focused Ultrasound waves to ablate (destroy) tissue in combination with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which guides and monitors the treatment

MRgFUS:
Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
A non-invasive imaging method using magnetic fields and radio waves to create images of the body

Myoma:
A benign growth of smooth muscle in the wall of the uterus

Myometrium fibroid:
Fibroid located in the middle layer of the uterus

Myomectomy:
Surgical excision of the tumor, leaving the healthy areas of the uterus in place

Myometrium:
The thick wall of smooth muscle cells that forms the middle layer of the uterus

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, pronounced en-SAIDS):
Medications, used to reduce inflammation, that aren't corticosteroid-based

Post-embolization syndrome:
Fever, extreme fatigue, nausea and vomiting that often occur after uterine artery embolization. Doctors believe that chemicals released by degenerating fibroids stimulate tissue inflammation, causing the syndrome

Progesterone:
One of two reproductive hormones produced by the ovary that stimulate development of the uterine lining in preparation for a pregnancy. Progesterone also helps maintain uterine conditions to support a pregnancy. The hormone may contribute to fibroid development

Pedunculated fibroids:
Fibroid tumors that hang from a stalk inside or outside of the uterus

Serosa:
The membrane forming the outermost layer of the uterus

Submucosal fibroids:
Fibroid tumors that bulge into the inner cavity of the uterus

Subserosal fibroids:
Fibroid tumors that bulge from the outer surface of the uterus

Symptomatic uterine fibroids:
Benign (non-cancerous) masses located in the uterus that cause any of the following symptoms, including heavy bleeding or painful periods; bleeding between periods; feeling “full” in the lower abdomen; frequent urination (resulting from a fibroid pressing on the bladder); bowel symptoms, pain during sex or lower back pain

Thermal ablation:
Destruction of a body part or tissue using heat

Uterine artery embolization (UAE):
Blocking the blood vessels that supply the tumor by injecting small particles into the arteries feeding the uterus

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE):
Blocking the blood vessels that supply the tumor by injecting small particles into the arteries feeding the uterus

Uterine fibroids:
Benign (non-cancerous) masses located in the uterus or in the uterine wall

Ultrasound:
High frequency sound waves (not audible to the human ear)

Uterine ablation:
Removal of tissue from the uterus by means of surgery or other

Uterine cavity:
Unfilled space within the uterus

Uterine fibroid:
A benign tumor of the uterus, also called leiomyoma, myoma, fibroma and fibromyoma

Uterine fibroid ablation:
Removal of fibroid tissue from the uterus by means of surgery or other

Uterine myoma:
See Myoma

Uterine polyp:
An overgrowth of tissue arising from the endometrium 

Uterine tumor stalk:
Connects a pedunculated fibroid to the uterus

Uterine wall:
Structural layer surrounding the uterus

Watchful waiting:
A treatment option in which a woman and her doctor monitor the progression of fibroids without formal medical interventions, such as surgery or medication

Learn about the different uterine fibroid treatment options.