Fibroid Tumors

Fibroid tumors, also known as uterine fibroids, myomas, fibromas, or leimyomas, are growths that usually occur in the uterus, which are usually non-cancerous or benign. About 20-40 percent of women over the age of 35 are affected by fibroid tumors. Sometimes, they can also form in other organs as well, especially those that have smooth muscle cells.

Description of Fibroid Tumors

Fibroid tumors are rubbery nodules, which start as irregular cells, occurring layers of muscles of the uterus. They then grow gradually into tumor-like lumps, which consist of smooth muscle and connective tissue.

Fibroid tumors can be the size of a pea or as big as a basketball, and it can occur singly or in many numbers.

The rate of growth of fibroid tumors is not predictable, sometimes remaining comparatively stable, and at other times increasing in size rapidly. Less than 0.1 percent of fibroid tumors become cancerous.

Fibroid tumors usually do not reduce in size or disappear by themselves, which happens only after menopause. After the onset of menopause, new fibroid tumors usually do not develop, and the ones that are present already generally reduce in size.

Types of Fibroid Tumors

There are three main types of fibroid tumors: 1) Submucous; 2) Intramural; 3) Subserous.

Submucous Fibroid Tumors: These grow just under the endometrium, or the lining of the uterus, usually causing menstrual problems, which includes pain as the develop and move about the pelvic region.

Intramural Fibroid Tumors: This is a round shaped fibroid which usually grows in the wall of the uterus. As they grow it results in enlargement of the uterus.

Subserous Fibroid Tumors: This occurs on the outer region of the uterine wall and generally has no symptoms. It is only when they grow in size and interfere with the other organs that they create problems.

In case the fibroid tumor has a pedicle, or a stalk, which is attached to the wall of the uterus, it is known as a pedunculated fibroid tumor. The pedicle allows the tumor to move about in the uterus, or the abdominal cavity, or even into the vagina.

Here are some of the Symptoms of Fibroid Tumors?

Fibroid tumors can be completely without symptoms or may cause problems. Most of the women who have fibroid tumors experience no symptoms at all. However, when symptoms do occur, they usually include:

• Menstruation that lasts for a longer duration than normal.
• A heavier flow during menstruation.
• If menstrual cramping increases.
• Unpredictable or irregular bleeding.
• A feeling of fullness in the abdomen, accompanied by gas.
• Pressure in the lower region of the abdomen, usually described as a heavy or achy feeling.
• An increase in the frequency of urination.
• Backache, constipation, infertility, and miscarriage.

What are the Causes of Fibroid Tumors?

It is not yet known what exactly causes fibroid tumors, however some scientists that the following reasons may be contributory factors:

• It could be due to hereditary factors.
• It could be due to ethnicity. Women of Jewish descent and African-American women are three times more susceptible to developing fibroid tumors compared to Caucasian women.
• It could be due to the estrogen level. Fibroid tumors have a tendency of increasing in size when birth control pills are used, when the levels of estrogen are high, or during pregnancy, and reduce in size after menopause, when the levels of estrogen are low.
• Occurs in women who have endometriosis. This is a condition wherein pieces of the endometrium, or the mucous membrane that lines the uterus, are found in the other areas of the pelvic cavity.

The Treatment of Fibroid Tumors

Usually, fibroid tumors do not require any treatment whatsoever. Most physicians advise leaving the fibroids alone, having them monitored periodically, if they are not causing bleeding, pain, or discomfort. However, surgical removal may be advised if the fibroid tumors display the following symptoms:

• If they cause bleeding that is uncontrollable or is abnormally heavy.
• If they grow too large and cause discomfort.
• If they grow too rapidly.
• If fibroid tumors occur after the onset of menopause.
• If it hinders the chances of becoming pregnant.
• If they cause the compression of the urinary tract.

Fibroid tumors can be surgically removed by two procedures: myomectomy, which involves removing the fibroid from the uterus; and hysterectomy, which involves the removal of the uterus itself.