A uterine fibroid is a non-cancerous growth of the uterus that usually appears during childbearing years. It’s also known as myoma or leiomyoma. Fibroids could grow as a single tumor or as a clump. This is commonly found on women with obesity, pregnant women, or those with a family history of such tumor.
What are the types of uterine fibroids?
There are four types of uterine myomas:
1) Intramural Fibroids
This is the most common type. It grows in the wall of the uterus.
2) Submucosal Fibroids
This type grows underneath the uterine lining and can expand to the uterine cavity, leading to serious complications. This is the rarest type among all four.
3) Subserosal Fibroids
These are fibroids on the outside wall of the uterus. This type can cause pain when it grows larger because then it applies pressure on nearby organs.
4) Pedunculated Fibroids
These grow inside or outside the uterine cavity, and it grows on small stems or stalks.
How big do fibroids get? What’s too large?
Their size ranges from a few millimeters (the size of an apple seed) to the size of a full-term baby. Albeit non-cancerous, these myomas could become further enlarged because of the rich blood supply from the uterine artery. Their growth is also stimulated by the hormone estrogen; hence, they’re most likely to grow in size once menstruation has begun. Women with these fibroids typically do not present with any symptoms unless it grows.
The first line of treatment for these uterine leiomyomas is medications. However, if growth continues to occur and more symptoms begin to appear, surgery may be necessary.
Some criteria that require surgery due to its complications are listed below:
- If fibroids are larger than a 12- to 15-week pregnancy (about the size of a large grapefruit)
- If submucosal fibroids are found inside the uterus and are large enough to misshape the uterine lining
- Having abrupt pain and tenderness on abdomen as this could indicate degeneration or burst of tumors
- And on rare cases, rapidly growing large fibroids as this could be a sign of a cancerous form of these fibroids called leiomyosarcoma
How are uterine fibroids diagnosed?
Uterine fibroids are usually found during routine pelvic exam. An irregularity in the shape of your uterus may indicate the presence of fibroids.
To further confirm the diagnosis, here are some of the tests that are usually done:
1) Ultrasound
The sound waves from this exam provides a picture of your uterus, therefore confirming the diagnosis. It can also map out and measure fibroids.
2) Lab tests such as complete blood count (CBC).
As uterine fibroids also cause an abnormal menstrual bleeding, a CBC is done to determine if you have anemia. This also helps rule out bleeding disorders or thyroid problems.
3) Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI)
This is not the primary diagnostic test for diagnosing uterine myomas, but it provides a more detailed size and location of fibroids. It also identifies different types of tumors, therefore helping determine proper treatment options.
All in all, uterine fibroids do differ in size and may actually grow, potentially causing other issues. If you’re worried about these benign uterine tumors, don’t think twice about consulting a physician.
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