uterine leiomyoma, leiomyomata, , myoma, fibromyoma, fibroleiomyoma
Uterine fibroids are a major cause of morbidity in women of a reproductive age. About 20% to 80% of women develop fibroids by the age of 50. After menopause they usually decrease in size. The exact cause is unclear. Typically, fibroids appear as well-defined, solid masses with a whorled appearance (Pic. 1). Uterine fibroids grow from the uterine muscle and are under the hormonal influence of estrogen, that is why they do not exist before the secretion of this hormone before puberty, and they regress with menopause. Cancerous versions of fibroids are very rare and are known as leiomyosarcomas. They do not appear to develop from benign fibroids. However, for some women, fibroids can significantly affect their quality of life. Most fibroids do not require treatment unless they are causing symptoms. After menopause fibroids shrink and it is unusual for them to cause problems. In those who have symptoms the treatment modality is primarily surgical and herbal preparations are commonly used as alternatives to surgical procedures. Uterine fibroids are leiomyomata of the uterine smooth muscle. As other leiomyomata, they are benign, but may lead to excessive menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), often cause anemia and may lead to infertility.
Fibroids are categorized into three groups according the place on which they appear:
1. Submucosal fibroids growing in the uterine cavity.
2. Intramural fibroids growing in the wall of the uterus.
3. Subserosal fibroids growing on the outside of the uterus.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis may occur by pelvic examination or medical imaging. While a bimanual examination typically can identify the presence of larger fibroids, gynecologic ultrasonography (ultrasound) has evolved as the standard tool to evaluate the uterus for fibroids. Polyps may be better visualized during saline infusion sonohysterography, in which the saline pushes apart the uterine cavity, and the polyps appear as smoothly margined focal lesions that protrude into the endometrial cavity (Pic. 2). Also magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to define the depiction of the size and location of the fibroids within the uterus. Imaging modalities cannot clearly distinguish between the benign uterine leiomyoma and the malignant uterine leiomyosarcoma, however, the latter is quite rare.
Other imaging techniques that may be helpful specifically in the evaluation of lesions that affect the uterine cavity are hysterosalpingography or sonohysterography.
Associated diseases
Complications
Complications can arise from the location of the fibroids. These complications range from intermittent bleedings to continuous bleeding over weeks, from single pain episodes to severe menorrhagia and chronic abdominal pain with intermittent spasms, from dysuria and constipation to chronic bladder and bowel spasms and even to peritonitis. Infertility may be the result of continuous metro- and menorrhagia, leading to chronic infection and uterine spasms up to nonimplantation. Possible complications resulting from treatment of these disorders are haemorrhages, infection, adhesions, and secondary pain resulting from the treatment efforts.
Risk factors
Race and age
The cumulative incidence (based both on ultrasonographic detection of fibroids in women with an intact uterus and evidence of prior fibroids among women who have had hysterectomies) increases with age, but the rate of increase slows at older ages. This suggests that the older premenopausal uterus is less susceptible to fibroid development.
Early menarche
Early age of menarche is also a risk factor for uterine fibroids and other hormonally mediated conditions such as endometrial and breast cancers. The biological mechanisms are not understood, and they may or may not be the same for the different hormonally mediated conditions.
Parity and pregnancy
Although a direct protective effect of pregnancy has been demonstrated, little is known of the mechanism. There have been some suggestions that during postpartum uterine remodeling, there could be selective apoptosis of small lesions. Ischemia during parturition has also been proposed as a mechanism. Thus, it may be implied that fibroid tissue could be highly susceptible to ischemia during both parturition and remodeling.
Caffeine intake
Current drinkers had significantly higher risks than women who had never consumed alcohol, and there appears to be a dose response for both duration of alcohol consumption and number of drinks per day. With regards to caffeine, among women <35 years of age, the highest categories of caffeinated coffee (≥3 cups/day) and caffeine intake (≥500 mg/day) were both associated with increased fibroid risk.
Other possible factors
There is contemporary interest in the influence of dynamics encompassing the likes of uterine infection, hormonal, metabolic, dietary, stress, and environmental factors. The underlying biological mechanism of infection-related oncogenesis proposed is that injury caused by infection or inflammation proceeds through several possible pathways, leading to increased extracellular matrix, cell proliferation, and decreased apoptosis, apropos of abnormal tissue repair. The upregulation of extracellular matrix proteins that is consistently seen in gene profiling studies of fibroids compared with normal myometrium is consistent with such a mechanism. As luteinizing hormone (LH) shares a receptor with human chorionic gonadotropin, the hormone that stimulates uterine growth during early pregnancy, it is hypothesized that peri-menopausal increases in LH would stimulate fibroid growth. Metabolic factors like diabetes, polycystic ovaries, and hypertension have been examined. Dietary factors have looked at the intake of soy which tends to have anti-estrogenic effects when endogenous estrogens are high (i.e., premenopausal women), thus hypothesizing that soy intake might reduce fibroid risk. A possible mechanism of the impact of stress involves the effects of stress on adrenal activity that could raise progesterone levels, and thus increase fibroid development. All these areas of interest are currently hypothetical and need further study to clarify their exact role in the etiology of fibroids.
Occasionally fibroids may make it difficult to get pregnant although this is uncommon. While fibroids are common, they are not a typical cause for infertility, accounting for about 3% of reasons why a woman may not be able to have a child. The majority of women with uterine fibroids will have normal pregnancy outcomes. In cases of intercurrent uterine fibroids in infertility, a fibroid is typically located in a submucosal position and it is thought that this location may interfere with the function of the lining and the ability of the embryo to implant. Also larger fibroids may distort or block the fallopian tubes.
Ways to prevent uterine fibroids from forming are mostly unknown. However, specialists have been able to determine some risk factors and treatments that can help in understanding fibroids.
Fibroids, particularly when small, may be entirely asymptomatic. Symptoms depend on the location of the lesion and its size. Important symptoms include abnormal gynecologic hemorrhage, heavy or painful periods, abdominal discomfort or bloating, painful defecation, back ache, urinary frequency or retention, and in some cases, infertility. There may also be pain during intercourse, depending on the location of the fibroid. During pregnancy they may also be the cause of miscarriage, bleeding, premature labor, or interference with the position of the fetus.
Chinese medicine
Certain acupuncture points have an affinity to the uterus, so therapy may be managed to the affected area.
Herbal medicine is also very useful for treating fibroids. Chinese herbal medicine may shrink fibroids and relieve fibroid symptoms.
A number of medications are in use to control symptoms caused by fibroids.
NSAIDs can be used to reduce painful menses.
Oral contraceptive pills are prescribed to reduce uterine bleeding and cramps.
Anemia may have to be treated with iron supplementation.
Levonorgestrel intrauterine devices
Levonorgestrel intrauterine devices are highly effective in limiting menstrual blood flow and improving other symptoms. Side effects are typically very moderate because the levonorgestrel (a progestin) is released in low concentration locally. There is now substantial evidence that Levongestrel-IUDs provide good symptomatic relief for women with fibroids. While most Levongestrel-IUD studies concentrated on treatment of women without fibroids a few reported very good results specifically for women with fibroids including a substantial regression of fibroids.
Danazol
Danazol is an effective treatment to shrink fibroids and control symptoms. Its use is limited by unpleasant side effects. Mechanism of action is thought to be antiestrogenic effects. Recent experience indicates that safety and side effect profile can be improved by more cautious dosing.
Dostinex
Dostinex in a moderate and well tolerated dosis has been shown in 2 studies to shrink fibroids effectively. Mechanism of action is unclear.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs cause temporary regression of fibroids by decreasing estrogen levels. Because of the limitations and side effects of this medication it is rarely recommended other than for preoperative use to shrink the size of the fibroids and uterus before surgery. It is typically used for a maximum of 6 months or less because after longer use they could cause osteoporosis and other typically postmenopausal complications. The main side effects are transient postmenopausal symptoms. In many cases the fibroids will regrow after cessation of treatment, however significant benefits may persist for much longer in some cases. Several variations are possible, such as GnRH agonists with add-back regimens intended to decrease the adverse effects of estrogen deficiency. Several add-back regimes are possible, tibolone, raloxifene, progestogens alone, estrogen alone, and combined estrogens and progestogens.
Ulipristal acetate
Ulipristal acetate is a synthetic selective progesterone receptor modulator which has been tested in small radomized trials with good results for the treatment of fibroids.Similar to other selective progesterone receptor modulators and antagonists benign histologic endometrial changes were reported and long term safety outside of clinical studies has not been established yet.
Progesterone antagonists
Progesterone antagonists such as Mifepristone have been tested, there is evidence that it relieves some symptoms and improves quality of life but because of adverse histological changes that have been observed in several trials it cannot be currently recommended outside of research setting. Progesterone and the PR (progesterone receptor) may enhance proliferative activity in fibroids. These observations have raised the possibility that anti-progestins and agents or molecules that modulate the activity of the PR could be useful in the medical management of uterine fibroids (Pic. 3). Selective progesterone receptor modulators, such as Progenta, have been under investigation.
Surgical therapy
When surgery is indicated in cases of myomas, laparoscopic surgery is the primary choice. Preoperative assessment is important to determine the operative strategy according to size, number, and location of the myomas. Precise preoperative diagnosis indicates whether laparoscopic myomectomy is possible or whether laparotomy should be performed for large or numerous myomas. In extreme cases, major surgery can be the best choice to remove fibroids to improve the health of the body.
Surgery may take the form of myomectomy (hysteroscopic, laparoscopic, abdominal and robotic), and hysterectomy (vaginal, abdominal, and laparoscopic).
Larger fibroids may distort or block the fallopian tubes. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an alternative treatment to surgical removal in this condition because IVF - ICSI bypass the fallopian tubes. If all efforts to conceive and carry a pregnancy to full term fails, surrogacy may be considered as another option.
A disease of excess body fat that can have a negative effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and other health problems.
An abnormal condition in a woman's menstrual cycle.
An obstruction prevents the egg or sperm from traveling down the tube, thus making fertilization impossible.
A state in which pieces of the tissue alike to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grow in other parts of the body.
Medical condition characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue within the myometrium.
The time in most women's lives when menstrual periods stop permanently, and the woman is no longer able to have children.
The absence of a menstrual period in women of reproductive age.
Light or infrequent menstrual flow at intervals of 39 days to 6 months or 5–7 cycles in a year.
A lower than normal level of estrogen which is the primary sex hormone in women.
Three or more consecutive pregnancy losses before 20-24 weeks of gestation or below a fetal weight of 500 g.
A surgery performed to remove a woman's uterus.
Two very fine tubes that transport sperm toward the egg, and allow passage of the fertilized egg back to the uterus for implantation.
The middle layer of the uterine wall, consisting of uterine smooth muscle cells.
The uterus is the largest and major organ of the female reproductive tract that is the site of fetal growth and is hormonally responsive
A female germ cell involved in reproduction.
The cell formed by the union of a sperm and an oocyte.
The primary female sex hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics.
A hormone, that stimulates ovulation and the development of the corpus luteum in females, and the production of androgens in males.
Steroid hormone, secreted by the ovaries, whose function is to prepare the uterus for the implantation of a fertilized ovum and to maintain pregnancy.
The fusion of an ovum with a sperm to initiate the development of a new individual organism.
The very early stage of pregnancy at which the embryo adheres to the wall of the uterus.
The process of the maturation of the female gametes through the meiotic division.
The release of egg(s) from the ovaries.
A pattern of drinking that results in harm to one’s health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work.
Occurrence of menstruation in 11 years or less.
A complication of pregnancy in which the embryo attaches outside the uterus.
A higher risk of disease when multiple family members are affected.
A diminished level of blood estrogen level.
Intrauterine death of an embryo or a fetus of less than 500g in mass or before 20 weeks of gestation.
Narcolepsy is a long-term neurological disorder that involves a decreased ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles.
A medical condition of excess body fat that can have a negative effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and other health problems.
An inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the abdominal organs.
Abnormal growth of any cells that comprise uterine tissue.
The presence of leiomyomas, the most common benign smooth muscle tumors, in the uterine wall.
A decrease in number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood resulting in low oxygen levels in body tissues.
Pain in the area of the pelvis, that lasts more than six months.
A condition where the feces are hardened because of excess water removal in the colon.
The onset of puberty before the average age in girls (8 years).
Abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding in menstrual periods.
The condition in which the blood escapes from the circulatory system.
The failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
The medical term for infrequent, often light menstrual periods (intervals exceeding 35 days).
Bleeding that occurs irregulary between the menstrual period.
A chronic neurological disorder which is caused by the brain's inability to control sleep and wakefulness.
The feel of pain during defecation.
The painful feelings during sexual intercourse.
A burning or stinging sensation during urination.
An inflammation of the peritoneum, usually caused by an infectious organism that is introduced into the abdominal cavity.
A disease distinct from infertility, defined by two or more failed pregnancies.
A form of alternative medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine involving thin needles inserted into the body at acupuncture points
Process by which a woman donates eggs for purposes of assisted reproduction or biomedical research.
A micromanipulative fertilization technique in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
The surgical removal of uterine leiomyomas.
A treatment using drugs to diminish symptoms, release pain and return balance to hormonal system in case of uterine fibroids.
Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness.
The procedure in which a man (sperm donor) provides his sperm for fertility treatment.
A process in which an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the body: in vitro. Own or donated gametes may be used.
The embryo is gestated in a third party's (surrogate) uterus.
A broad range of medicine practices sharing common concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2000 years.
