Benign tumors that occur in the muscle tissues of the uterus called Fibroids affect 1 in 5 women and can be treated with drugs or surgery. Photo Credit: AFPJuly 01, 2009, (Sawf News) - Fibroid (known medically as "leiomyoma" (leye-oh-meye-OH-muh) or just "myoma) is almost always a benign tumor that can occur in the muscle tissues of the uterus. It can be as small as an apple seed and as big as a grape fruit.
Fibroids have been reported weighing more than 20 pounds also. 1 in 5 women are affected by some type of Fibroid. They occur in 25% of Caucasian women and 50% in African American women (diet and other environmental factors are responsible for this).
It can return in 50% women who have had surgery.
Fibroids can start to grow soon after puberty, although usually they are detected when a woman reaches young adulthood.
The most common type of Fibroid is the Intramural fibroid which grows within the middle and thickest layer of the uterus.
The second most common Fibroid is Subserosal fibroid which grows out from the thin outer fibrous layer of the uterus (called the serosa).
About 5 % of Fibroids are Submucous fibroids that grow from the uterine wall toward and into the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium).
Fibroids can be caused due to any of the following reasons:
- If there is a family history of fibroids. Some experts report that uterine fibroids are inherited from paternal (the father's) genes.
- Proteins called growth factors may be responsible for some of the abnormalities leading to uterine muscle overgrowth and fibroids.
- Obesity is also one of the factors which can result in Fibroids.
- High blood pressure may increase the risk of developing Fibroids (Researchers reported that women with hypertension were 24% more likely to develop fibroids and that the longer a woman had hypertension, the greater her risk).
- Not having babies can also lead to development of Fibroids.
- Fibroids become more common as women age, especially during the 30s and 40s through menopause. After menopause, fibroids usually shrink.
Researchers have shown that the female hormones, both estrogen and progesterone, can be responsible for the growth of fibroids in women. Other growth factors which might be responsible for the growth of fibroids include Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-I, Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), and Transforming Growth Factor (TGF).
The various symptoms of fibroid growth are:
- Women can experience abdominal pain or pain in lower back
- More frequent periods (prolonged and heavy bleeding during menstruation)
- Difficulty in getting pregnant
- Complications during pregnancy and labor, including a six-time greater risk of cesarean section
- Frequent urination or urge to urinate, particularly when a woman is lying down at night
- Abnormal pain during intercourse
- Constipation
- Feeling of fullness in the pelvic area (lower stomach area)
- Enlargement of the lower abdomen
Some other facts about Fibroids are:
- Surgery is not always necessary
- Drugs or non surgical techniques can reduce the fibroid size
- Some cases don’t need treatment
- Getting pregnant is possible after surgery although C-section might be necessary. The baby is not positioned well for vaginal delivery. (baby enters the birth canal upside down with feet or buttocks emerging first)
In case a woman has fibroid, regular pelvic examinations and ultrasounds should be performed to monitor the growth of the fibroid.
Treating Fibroids:
Most women with fibroids do not have any symptoms but if they do the treatments available are:
- Medications - such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used for mild pain. Iron supplement can keep you from getting anemia if you get heavy bleeding. Low-dose birth control pills do not make fibroids grow and can help control heavy bleeding. There are drugs such as GnRHa, used to shrink the fibroids. Your Doctor can advise you on that.
- For moderate or severe symptoms, surgery may be the best way to treat them. Options available include Myomectomy to remove fibroids without taking out the healthy tissue of the uterus, Hysterectomy where the uterus is removed, Endometrial Ablation where the lining of the uterus is removed or destroyed to control very heavy bleeding, Myolysis freezes to destroy the fibroids and Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), or Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE).
Focused Ultrasound is a novel non-invasive surgical procedure for the outpatient treatment of fibroid uterine tumors. It uses high intensity focused ultrasound waves to destroy tissue in combination with Magnetic Resonance Imaging which guides and monitors the treatment.
High-energy sound waves are directed precisely through the abdominal wall to targeted fibroid tissues. Thermal energy destroys the growths by coagulating the blood supply, while preserving healthy tissue.
The treatment has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2004.
The recovery time with this treatment is relatively short; you'll be back on your feet in 1-3 days.
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