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Fibroids, also known as leiomyomas,
myomas or fibromas are benign growths in the uterine wall composed
of smooth muscle and fibrous cells. Fibroids are the most common
growths arising from the female pelvis, occurring in at least
20-40 percent of women. Approximately half of the women with fibroids
develop symptoms, most commonly between the age of 30-50. At least
one-third of the estimated 600,000 hysterectomies performed each
year in the United States are done for fibroid disease, at an
estimated cost of $2-4 billion. Hysterectomy is the most
frequently performed major surgical procedure in the United
States.
Although the responsible gene has not yet been isolated, a
familial tendency to develop fibroids exists. Fibroids are benign
in 99.7 percent of cases.
Fibroids are firm round growths ranging in size from a
small pea to a cantaloupe. They are usually multiple
and increase the size of the uterus. The largest fibroid ever
reported weighed 140 pounds.
During a pelvic exam, a health care provider may notice that the
uterus is unusually large and, if a fibroid develops near the outer
surface of the uterus, the provider may be able to feel a bump or
knob during the pelvic exam. An ultrasound (which uses sound waves
to create pictures of the internal organs) may be obtained to
confirm the presence of fibroids.
This diagram illustrates the many types of fibroids. These are
classified according to their location in the uterus. The
submucosal fibroid is most likely to cause serious symptoms, such
as heavy bleeding and painful menstruation.
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