Uterine fibroid, when should you see a specialist?
Written by:A fibroid is a benign tumor that develops in the womb or uterus. The fact that they are located in that region scares. However, if the patient has no symptoms or discomfort, do not usually operated, they represent no risk to cancer.
What is a fibroid and how often they occur
Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumors in women, and arise from smooth muscle cells of the myometrium which is the muscle that is formed uterus or womb. They appear in the reproductive age and can be associated or not symptoms or discomfort. In general they are not hereditary but some women in a familial tendency is observed. On the other hand, they are more common in black women, and women who have never had children are more prone to develop fibroids. They are not in girls and adolescents.
Symptoms that causes a fibroid
Women who have fibroids could have heavy or frequent menstrual bleeding, painful periods and / or pelvic pain, pain on intercourse or feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen. They can also cause difficulty becoming pregnant, and during pregnancy, which are located within the uterine cavity, can be associated with abortions, placental, interfere with the growth of the baby or appropriate placement for delivery or premature delivery. Other difficulties that can cause fibroids, especially if they are large, are leaking urine or constipation, pressing the bladder or rectum, chronic pain and swelling of the abdomen.
However, a woman who has fibroids does not always have discomfort, it all depends on where they are located and their size. In many cases diagnosed during the scan of a healthy woman without discomfort that comes to be a gynecological or pregnancy review, but if the patient has abundant and / or very painful periods, and associated anemia, could benefit from treatment.
Diagnosing a fibroid
Usually the fibroid diagnosed during the clinical examination in consultation gynecology , and their presence with vaginal or abdominal ultrasound confirmed, although sometimes the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is necessary to clearly define the bodies where growth important or when necessary to differentiate them from other types of tumors. Other tests are hysteroscopy and hysterosalpingography, to be recommended based on the problem of the patient and under the gynecologist criteria.
Addressing a fibroid and probability of malignancy or not
Fibroids are always benign, it is not shown to have potential to become cancerous, but to drastic changes in the growth of a fibroid already known, or some features of the ultrasound examination, MRI is usually done or even recommend removal. However, uterine body cancer can occur in any woman with or without myomas, but fortunately it is the rarest. In any case, when a fibroid tissue always checked to rule out hidden cancer is removed, even when they look benign.
Currently uterine fibroids can be treated in many ways, and surgery can be avoided in many patients because they tend to decrease in size and some discomfort naturally refer arrival menopause. However, depending on the symptoms, the location and size of fibroids, as well as the needs of the patient, can offer their removal, hormone treatment and antihormonal treatment. Overall, it is not indicated to treat a patient who has no symptoms.
In women who have difficulty becoming pregnant it is common to recommend extirpate. If appropriate removal, and even before menopause occurs, there is always the possibility that myomas out again (if preserve the uterus). However, usually less frequent or less exaggerated growth after 35 years.
As can be seen, the various manifestations of these benign tumors do not have a single treatment and the decision must fit the profile of the patient, age, if you have already had the unwanted pregnancies, and the presence, intensity and severity of their symptoms. Every woman myomas carrier shall, on the advice of her gynecologist of confidence, both the type of treatment and follow-up that suits your needs and health.
Edited by Patricia Crespo Pujante
