Among the most common gynecological diseases can be called uterine fibroids. This diagnosis is made annually to thousands of women around the world. The main danger of pathology is that it can cause a malignant tumor of the uterus, that is, cancer.
In order to prevent such a development of events, every woman should be extremely serious about her health and at the first symptoms should go to the clinic.
Uterine fibroma: what is it and what is dangerous?
This medical term refers to a benign neoplasm, which consists mainly of fibrous connective tissue. Some confuse the concepts of uterine fibroma and uterine fibroids. These tumors are actually somewhat similar, but they also have differences. A distinctive feature of fibroma is slow growth and a rather rare degeneration into a malignant tumor.
According to the features of development and growth, uterine fibroids are of two types:
- nodal - in this case, the neoplasm has clearly defined boundaries;
- diffuse - with such a development, a benign tumor does not have a clear outline, closely located foci can merge into one common one.
Types of Fibromas
In medicine, uterine fibroids are usually divided into several varieties according to one or another characteristic. One of them is the location on the tissues of the uterus.
The type is submucous. As the name already becomes clear, the neoplasm is attached under the mucous tissue of the organ. It is this variety that can cause numerous heavy bleeding, because in the endometrium there is a large accumulation of blood vessels.
Subserous (subserous). As shown in the photo, fibroids in the uterus in this case are attached to the outside of the organ. Often such tumors are detected quite by accident when the patient is contacted for a completely different reason. The reason for this is the asymptomatic growth of fibroids. Complaints can appear at a time when the tumor reaches already serious sizes.
Interstitial (another name for intrapartum). As for this kind of fibroma, it rightfully takes the first place in distribution. The main thing that distinguishes the growth of this tumor is organ deformation and a significant increase in the volume of the uterus.
Stem type. Such a pathology is characterized by the appearance of a neoplasm in the subserous tissues. Fibroma is attached to the uterus in this case with the help of the leg, and its growth causes tissue displacement. The main symptom is considered frequent severe pain in the lower abdomen.
Spurious type. This variety is quite rare, but it can be called a rather serious pathology. The neoplasm in this case develops not only in the tissues of the uterus, but is also able to switch to other nearby organs, for example, the cervix.
Causes of fibroma
Despite the high level of development of medicine, scientists still can not give a definite answer, which becomes an impetus for the appearance of pathological cells.
Some doctors are inclined to believe that the growth of fibroma begins with the appearance of one mutated cell, from which a tumor develops over time. This phenomenon is explained by the accelerated phase of growth and division of pathological cells in comparison with the rate of development of ordinary muscle layer cells.
However, numerous studies and observations have shown: there are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing uterine fibroids.
Factors Affecting Tumor Growth
In young girls, such a pathology is rarely detected. Most patients with benign neoplasms of the uterus are women of reproductive age. In other words, after reaching 25-30 years, a woman significantly increases the risk of fibroma. There are other risk factors:
- Disorders of the hormonal background. Increased estrogen production significantly affects the growth of tumors. If such a violation is detected, then you should resort to a correction as soon as possible.
- Damage to tissues mechanically. This category includes soft tissue bruises, injuries that a woman could have received under various circumstances.
- Surgical intervention (abortion, curettage of the uterus, complicated delivery). Operations performed on the uterus or organs located close to it, often lead to the formation of fibroma. Often a tumor appears in places of small tissue damage.
- Infectious diseases. The dependence of fibroma and infectious diseases exists, although not entirely obvious. The fact is that with an infection in the tissues, an inflammatory process occurs that causes damage. When restoring damaged tissues, pathological cell growth may also begin.
In addition, the development of pathology can contribute to:
- prolonged abstinence from sexual intercourse;
- a sedentary lifestyle (this is a sedentary work, and lack of physical activity);
- genetic predisposition;
- poor blood circulation in the pelvis;
- overweight.
Who is at risk
Based on the data obtained, doctors were able to identify a risk group. It hit:
- women of the Negroid race (this is due to a predisposition at the genetic level);
- women with signs of obesity;
- leading a sedentary lifestyle;
- abusers of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products (presumably this is due to a general deterioration in the state of the body, a decrease in immunity and susceptibility to various diseases);
- women who have not given birth to a child under 30 years old.
Uterine Fibroma: Symptoms
The growth of the neoplasm can be accompanied by numerous characteristic signs, or it can be completely asymptomatic for a long time - it all depends on the location of the tumor, its size and the number of nodes. All symptoms indicating the presence of uterine fibroids are divided into several categories.
1. Pain syndrome. The appearance of pain in the lower abdomen should immediately alert the woman, because such a clinical picture most often accompanies diseases of the reproductive organs.
- Pain is localized in the lower abdomen or gives to the lower back. The nature of the pain is aching or pulling.
- Persistent, not too severe pains can indicate the presence of fibroids in the serous membrane of the uterus.
- The development of a submucosal type of tumor often causes severe cramping pain. Especially brightly, such a symptom of uterine fibroids manifests itself on menstrual days.
- Necrosis of the node can cause severe pain with signs of an “acute abdomen”.
Irregular menstrual cycle:
- Possible cycle failure.
- Menses become excessively plentiful and long (more than 7 days).
- Bleeding occurs in the middle of the cycle (acyclic).
With large volumes of fibroma, a disruption in the work of neighboring organs is observed. This is explained by the large pressure of the tumor, which causes the following symptoms:
- frequent urination or urinary incontinence - appears with pressure on the ureters and bladder;
- constipation, painful bowel movements (possible with pressure on the straight bump).
Diagnostics
To identify uterine fibroids, there are a number of methods, among which are hardware types of research and laboratory tests.
- Primary reception. This stage is extremely important, as it gives the doctor the necessary data for the appointment of a further examination. During the reception, the gynecologist examines the patient's complaints, her general condition, the possible presence of concomitant diseases.
- Examination on a gynecological chair. At this stage, cervical fibromas are detected, they are visible to the naked eye. To study the condition of the uterus, the gynecologist examines with two hands (from the vagina and from the abdominal wall). If there is fibroma, the uterus is characterized by density, the presence of nodes.
- General blood analysis.
- A smear on the microflora gives information about the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, and a smear on cytology helps to identify atypical cells on the cervix.
- Blood from a vein. With this lab test, you can diagnose HIV, hepatitis and syphilis.
- To exclude a possible liver disorder, a LHC is prescribed (with its help, the content of creatinine, bilirubin, total protein and liver enzymes is determined).
- General urine analysis.
- Ultrasonography. An ultrasound procedure is prescribed to determine the condition of the uterus. With the help of this hardware study, the doctor receives data on the presence or absence of uterine fibroids, its size, location and amount of catch. Thus, ultrasound acts as the main diagnostic method.
- Computed tomography also allows you to obtain data on the state of the uterus, however, this diagnostic method is resorted to less frequently.
- Colposcopy. Using a special colposcope device, the condition of the cervix is studied.
- Biopsy. This diagnostic method is used if there is a suspicion of the transition of fibroma into a malignant tumor.
Dynamic observation
Treatment of uterine fibroids is not always necessary. In many cases, doctors recommend dynamic observation. This term refers to enhanced monitoring of the patient's condition. So, with certain indicators, a woman just needs to be examined regularly. In this case, the doctor compares the indicators of the previous diagnosis with new ones and makes a decision on further observation or prescription of treatment.
Such tactics are possible in connection with the features of the development of the neoplasm. Typically, fibroma is characterized by slow growth and rarely passes into a malignant tumor.
Dynamic monitoring is recommended in the following cases:
- lack of pronounced symptoms;
- tumor sizes not exceeding 2 cm.
Conservative treatment
Conservative treatment should be understood as therapy that is not related to surgery. In this case, it consists in medical treatment. It is prescribed in the following cases:
- the impossibility of performing a surgical operation for one or another medical indicator;
- the size of the tumor reaches 6-12 weeks;
- sharply indicated symptoms are absent (a woman does not complain of pain, there is no bleeding, and the menstrual cycle as a whole is not broken);
- the woman is planning a pregnancy in the future.
The basis of drug treatment are hormonal drugs. They are selected by the doctor, taking into account the peculiarities of the development of fibroids. During the treatment of uterine fibroids, a woman passes tests for timely monitoring and possible course adjustment.
Important! Folk remedies for uterine fibroids can be used only as additional stimulation. They actively help to relieve symptoms, but consult a doctor before using them.
Surgery
Surgical intervention may be required in several cases at once:
- Sufficiently large size of a benign tumor. So, if uterine fibroma has reached a size of 6 cm (12 obstetric weeks), it is recommended to remove it.
- Do not do without removal in cases where drug treatment did not give the desired results.
- Tumor growth is too fast.
- The presence of fibroid submucosal ganglion.
- The clinical picture is clear, the symptoms are pronounced (heavy bleeding occurs, frequent severe pain, manifestations of anemia).
Surgery for uterine fibroids can be carried out by several methods.
1. The traditional operation. During the operation, the surgeon makes an incision in the abdominal cavity and removes the neoplasm. In this case, two approaches are possible. One of them is an organ-saving operation, in which only the tumor is removed, and the uterus remains. Such a development of events allows a woman to become pregnant and bear a child in the future. The second approach involves the complete removal of the uterus, which means that the reproductive function will be lost.
2. Laparoscopy. Under this term is a surgical operation, during which the surgeon makes only small incisions for further manipulations. The entire course of the operation in the form of a picture is displayed on a computer monitor. This type of surgery is most preferable, since it allows you to coordinate movements with millimeter accuracy and significantly reduce the recovery period.
3. Embolization of the uterine vessels. What it is? This method consists in blocking the blood vessels that feed the fibroma. In the absence of blood supply (nutrition), the tumor stops growing, and therefore its removal is not required.
4. Ablation. The tumor is affected by ultrasound, leading to evaporation of the neoplasm. A disorder in the nutrition and blood flow of the tumor leads to necrosis of the node (in other words, necrosis of pathological tissues occurs).
Answering patients' questions about whether uterine fibroids are dangerous, doctors emphasize: the fibroma itself refers to benign neoplasms, and therefore does not carry any particular danger. However, one should not forget that the growth of nodes causes complications in the form of disruption of the intestines and bladder, anemia, infertility. In addition, the transition of a benign tumor to a malignant one is not excluded.
To date, uterine fibroids respond well to treatment. The most important thing is to identify the pathology in time and begin to fight it. To do this, each woman should be careful about her own health and go to the clinic with the slightest symptoms and signs. Uterine fibroids are a serious pathology, despite positive prognoses. For there is always the possibility of tissue degeneration. Based on this, one should not neglect regular gynecological examinations. Such simple, at first glance, recommendations will help keep a woman healthy and prevent the development of serious consequences of tumor growth.