Uterine Fibroids
Written by Jane Carrasco
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Fibroids, or leiomyoma, or just myoma, are muscular tumors that grow inside the wall of the uterus, also called the womb, that are almost always benign (not cancerous). Fibroid tumors are made up of tissue cells from the uterus and can range in size from just a few centimeters to more than 8 inches in length .
It is common for women to have at least one small and symptom free uterine fibroids inside their uterus and not even realize that they are there. Women who have a previous or family history of uterine fibroids, women who have hormonal imbalances, and women who are pregnant are more prone to getting fibroids in the uterus.
Women who have fibroids are more likely to have problems during pregnancy and delivery. Rarely, a leiomyosarcoma, or cancerous fibroid can occur. It is unsure, but it is believed in the medical profession that these cancers do not arise from an already-existing fibroid and that having fibroids does not increase chances of other forms of cancer in the uterus.
Your doctor can do tests, ultra sound, x-rays, etc. to confirm whether fibroids are present. If the fibroids aren't causing any pain and aren't interrupting fertility, it is unlikely that treatment will be needed for them.
Schedule an appointment with a physician and get an exam if you are feeling any symptoms of fibroids. Fibroid treatment can include medications to shrink the fibroid, laser treatments, a hysterectomy in very serious cases, and surgery.
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