Large Uterus
Large Uterus
A uterine fibroid (also uterine leiomyoma , myoma , fibromyoma , leiofibromyoma , fibroleiomyoma , and fibroma ) ( plural of ... myoma is ...myomas or ...myomata ) is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor that originates from the smooth muscle layer (myometrium) and the accompanying connective tissue of the uterus. Fibroids are the most common benign tumors in females and typically found during the middle and later reproductive years. While most fibroids are asymptomatic, they can grow and cause heavy and painful menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, and urinary frequency and urgency. Uterine fibroids is the major indication for hysterectomy in the US. Fibroids are often multiple and if the uterus contains too many leiomyomatas to count, it is referred to as uterine leiomyomatosis. The malignant version of a fibroid is uncommon and termed a leiomyosarcoma.
Prevalence
About 20-40% of women will be diagnosed with leiomyoma. The condition is about twice as common in black women as white women. Estrogen receptors on fibroids cause them to respond to estrogen stimulation during the reproductive years. During hypoestrogenic states, such as after menopause, leiomyoma are expected to shrink. Leiomyoma are more common in overweight women (because of increased estrogen from adipose aromatase activity).
Pathology and histology
Leiomyomas grossly appear as round, well circumscribed (but not encapsulated), solid nodules that are white or tan, and show whorled appearance on histological section. The size varies, from microscopic to lesions of considerable size. Typically lesions the size of a grapefruit or bigger are felt by the patient herself through the abdominal wall.
Microscopically, tumor cells resemble normal cells (elongated, spindle-shaped, with a cigar-shaped nucleus) and form bundles with different directions (whorled). These cells are uniform in size and shape, with scarce mitoses. There are three benign variants: bizarre (atypical); cellular; and mitotically active.
For decades, Estrogen has been known to stimulate fibroids, but more recent studies have also revealed a possible role of progesterone and progestins to fibroid growth as well, and applicability of progestin agonists as part of treatment are currently being considered.
In very rare cases, malignant (cancerous) growths, leiomyosarcoma, of the myometrium can develop.
Location
Growth and location are the main factors that determine if a fibroid leads to symptoms and problems. A small lesion can be symptomatic if located within the uterine cavity while a large lesion on the outside of the uterus may go unnoticed. Different locations are classified as follows:
- Intramural fibroids are located within the wall of the uterus and are the most common type; unless large, they may be asymptomatic.
- Subserosal fibroids are located underneath the mucosal (peritoneal) surface of the uterus and can become very large. They can also grow out in a papillary manner to become pedunculated fibroids . These pedunculated growths can actually detach from the uterus to become a parasitic leiomyoma.
- Submucosal fibroids are located in the muscle beneath the endometrium of the uterus and distort the uterine cavity; even small lesion in this location may lead to bleeding and infertility. A pedunculated lesion within the cavity is termed an intracavitary fibroid and can be passed through the cervix.
- Cervical fibroids are located in the wall of the cervix (neck of the uterus). Rarely fibroids are found in the supporting structures (round ligament, broad ligament, or uterosacral ligament) of the uterus that also contain smooth muscle tissue.
Fibroids may be single or multiple. Most fibroids start in an intramural location, that is the layer of the muscle of the uterus. With further growth, some lesions may develop towards the outside of the uterus or towards the internal cavity. Secondary changes that may develop within fibroids are hemorrhage, necrosis, calcification, and cystic changes.
Symptoms
Generally, symptoms relate to the location of the lesion and its size (mass effect). Important symptoms include abnormal gynecologic hemorrhage, heavy or painful periods, abdominal discomfort or bloating, painful defecation, back ache, urinary frequency or retention, and in some cases, infertility. There may also be pain during intercourse, depending on the location of the fibroid. During pregnancy they may be the cause of miscarriage, bleeding, premature labor, or interference with the position of the fetus.
Fibroids, particularly when small, may be entirely asymptomatic. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services states that "Fibroids are almost always benign (not cancerous). Rarely (less than one in 1,000) a cancerous fibroid will occur. This is called leiomyosarcoma. Doctors think that these cancers do not arise from an already-existing fibroid. Having fibroids does not increase the risk of developing a cancerous fibroid. Having fibroids also does not increase a woman's chances of getting other forms of cancer in the uterus."
While fibroids are common, they are not a typical cause for infertility accounting for about 3% of reasons why a woman may not have a child. Typically in such cases a fibroid is located in a submucosal position and it is thought that this location may interfere with the function of the lining and the ability of the embryo to implant. Also larger fibroids may distort or block the fallopian tubes.
Diagnosis
While a bimanual examination typically can identify the presence of larger fibroids, gynecologic ultrasonography (ultrasound) has evolved as the standard tool to evaluate the uterus for fibroids. Sonography will depict the fibroids as focal masses with a heterogeneous texture, which usually cause shadowing of the ultrasound beam. The location can be determined and dimensions of the lesion measured. Also magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to define the depiction of the size and location of the fibroids within the uterus.
Imaging modalities cannot clearly distinguish between the benign uterine leiomyoma and the malignant uterine leiomyosarcoma, however, the latter is quite rare. However fast growth or unexpected growth such as enlargement of a lesion after the menopause raise the level of suspicion that the lesion might be a sarcoma. Also, with advanced malignant lesions there may be evidence of local invasion. A more recent study has suggested that diagnostic capabilities using MRI have improved the ability to detect sarcomatous lesions. Biopsy is rarely performed and if performed, is rarely diagnostic. Should there be an uncertain diagnosis after ultrasounds and MRI imaging, surgery is generally indicated.
Other imaging techniques that may be helpful specifically in the evaluation of lesions that affect the uterine cavity are hysterosalpingography or sonohysterography.
Coexisting disorders
Fibroids that lead to heavy vaginal bleeding lead to anemia and iron deficiency. Due to pressure effects gastrointestinal problems are possible such as constipation and bloatedness. Compression of the ureter may lead to hydronephrosis. Fibroids may also present alongside endometriosis, which itself may cause infertility.Adenomyosis may be mistaken for or coexist with fibroids.
Treatment
Expectant management
The presence of fibroids does not mean that they need to be treated; lesions can be managed expectantly depending on the symptomatology and presence of related conditions. Thus most cases of fibroids are managed by "watchful waiting" which includes periodic sonographic assessment. After menopause fibroids shrink and it is unusual for fibroids to cause problems.
The presence of symptomatic uterine fibroids can be solved by:
Surgery
Surgery : Surgical removal of a uterine fibroid usually takes place via hysterectomy, in which the entire uterus is removed, or myomectomy, in which only the fibroid is removed. It is possible to remove multiple fibroids during a myomectomy. Although a myomectomy cannot prevent the recurrence of fibroids at a later date, such surgery is increasingly recommended, especially in the case of women who have not completed bearing children or who express an explicit desire to retain the uterus. There are three different types of myomectomy:
Vaginal Hysterectomy (Large Uterus) by Coring LASH Technique
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Uterus
Such large, subserous fibroids of the uterus can cause pain and symptoms due to pressure effect on the urinary bladder, rectum, ureters etc.
large uterus
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large uterus definition from the online medical dictionary
Definition of large uterus from the online medical dictionary hosted by mondofacto.
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