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Uterine Fibroids



Fibroid is a benign tumor of uterine smooth muscle termed leiomyoma

It is the most common tumor of the uterus affecting 20-30% of women.

Classification: according to its location Uterine Fibroids

1-Submucous fibroid :The tumor is protruding through the uterine cavity.

2-Intramural fibroid :The tumor is located within the myometrium.

3-Subserosal fibroid :The tumor is located at the outer border of the myometrium.

4-Pedunculated fibroid :The tumor is attached to the outer border of the uterus by a narrow pedicle containing blood vessels.

5-Fibroids can arise as a separate entity away from the uterus in the broad ligament mainly from the embryonic remnant

Pathology

Macroscopic appearance

Fibroids present as single or multiple circular or irregular masses. They have a false capsule consisting of compressed myometrial tissue by the tumor.

On cross section, the tumor has characteristic whorled arrangement of tissue bundles and its centre may show different types of degeneration.

Microscopic appearance

Fibroids consist of smooth muscle fibers and fibrous connective tissue.

Types of fibroid degeneration

1-Red degeneration

It follows an acute loss of blood supply to the fibroid during its active growth mainly seen during pregnancy.

Patients present with sudden onset of abdominal pain and tenderness localized to the uterus associated with mild pyrexia and leukocytosis.

The symptoms and signs resolve over a few days and surgical intervention is rarely required.

2-Hyaline degeneration

This type of degeneration is caused by gradual decrease in the blood supply to the fibroid.

It is asymptomatic and can cause central necrosis leaving cystic spaces at the center termed cystic degeneration.

Calcification of fibroid

This type of change in the fibroid is caused by deposition of calcium in the fibroid and can be detected on the abdominal x-ray in postmenopausal women.

Malignant changes

Occurs in 0.1 -0 .5 % of fibroids termed as sarcoma, and is characterized by rapidly increasing tumor size.

Clinical features

The symptoms of this disease depend on the location and size of the fibroid

1- Menstrual disturbance

Fibroid is an important cause of uterine bleeding mainly menorrhagia or intermenstrual bleeding mainly in sub mucous type and as thus can present with symptoms of anemia.

2-Pressure symptoms, especially urinary frequency or constipation due to pressure of the growing fibroid on the adjacent structures like the urinary bladder and the rectum.

3-Pain is unusual except in red degeneration of fibroid

4-Sub- fertility;

Due to mechanical distortion or occlusion of the fallopian tubes and distortion of the endometrial cavity by a sub mucous fibroid which can prevent implantation of the fertilized ova.

5-Obstetric complications

In late pregnancy if the fibroid is located in the cervix or the lower uterine segment it can cause fetal abnormal lie or presentation and obstructed labor.

After delivery, there is a risk of postpartum hemorrhage due to inefficient uterine contractions.

Signs of fibroid

Abdominal examination may indicate the presence of a firm mass arising from pelvis.

On bimanual examination, the mass is felt to be a part of the uterus with some limited mobility.

Predisposing factors

1-Nulliparity

2-Obesity

3-Family history

4-African racial origin

Differential diagnosis

1- Ovarian tumor whether benign or malignant.

2- Adenomyosis.

3- Leiomyosarcoma; patient presents with a history of rapidly enlarging abdominal-pelvic mass and decreased mobility of the uterus. In addition to general signs of cachexia.

Diagnosis

.1-U/S mainly vaginal U/S gives accurate information to distinguish a uterine fibroid from an ovarian mass.

Fibroids appear as circular, well-demarcated lesions.

2-Hysteroscopy for diagnosing and treating sub mucous fibroids.

Treatment

The choice of treatment depends on the age, parity, general health and the desire to have more children in addition to the size and location of the fibroid.

Medical treatment

Small and asymptomatic fibroids need follow up by u/s every 6 months. When symptoms appear and treatment is required, medical therapy is ovarian suppression using GNRH agonist.

This type of treatment is effective in shrinking the tumor. When treatment is stopped, ovarian function resumes and fibroids grow back to their previous size.

Surgical treatment

Cases of sub mucous and intrauterine fibroids can be removed by hysteroscopy.

Other types of fibroid are removed by abdominal myomectomy or hysterectomy.

1-Myomectomy

Usually done for young women who want to preserve their reproductive function. It is done by Laparotomy especially for large size fibroids

2-Hysterectomy; reserved for patients above 40 years who completed their families either by total or subtotal abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy.

GNRH agonist pretreatment over a two month period can facilitate hysterectomy or myomectomy to reduce the bulk and vascularity of fibroid prior to surgery.

Indications for surgery

1-Heavy or prolonged blood loss through the menses.

2-Large size fibroid

3-Pressure symptoms like urine retention

4-Possible malignant changes

Fibroid destruction

1-Myolysis; the idea of this treatment is to cut the blood supply to the fibroid laparoscopically and use laser to cauterize the blood vessels feeding the fibroid.

Disadvantages of this method are that it may be associated with intra abdominal adhesions especially between uterus and the intestines.

2-Embolization of the uterine artery

This type includes selective block to the uterine artery.

This is the most modern type of treatment done by percutaneous selective catheterization. It is associated with substantial reduction in fibroid size and improvement of menstrual symptoms over the following 6 months.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Various Articles in Gynecology and Obstetrics


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