Uterine fibroid is the most common benign gynecological tumor in pre-menopausal women (up to 25%). It can lead to abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and infertility.
Pregnant patients with fibroids are also at a high risk, especially of miscarriage, placenta praevia, preterm birth, or postpartum bleeding and should be closely followed up obstetricians.
Potential symptoms are:
The only reason that fibroids can be treated conservatively without a tissue diagnosis is because malignancy is very unusual.
Cancerous tumour such as leiomyosarcoma tends to occur in women in their 60s and 70s whereas uterine fibroids occur in women of reproductive age.
Larger fibroid can be detected during physical examination. However it is also often detected during imaging with:
The standard treatment is surgical with hysterectomy for those who have completed their childbearing and myomectomy for those who wish to retain their uterus.
There are other non-surgical options of treatment, such as hormonal manipulation, progesterone receptor antagonist and invasive radiological therapy. These options however have varying degree of success.
Dr Sem will discuss the suitable treatment options with you.