Fibroids Flashcards
Fibroids
- non cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus
- Arise from the myometrium
Submucous fibroids
Fibroids that develop in the muscle layer and grow into the cavity of the womb
Intramural fibroids
located within the myometrium
Subserosal fibroids
Develop outside the uterine wall and grow into the pelvis
Menstruation symptoms of fibroids
- Dysmenorrhea
2. Menorrhagia
General symptoms of fibroids
- Pressure symptoms - increase in urinary frequency and constipation
- Pelvic pain
- Pain during sex
Diagnosis of fibroids
- Clinical examination - hard, irregular uterine mass
2. Transvaginal/abdominal ultrasound
Treatment for fibroids - conservative
GnRH analogues - shrinks fibroids, but should only be used for this purpose prior to surgery
Surgical treatment for uterine fibroids
- Myomectomy - open, laparoscopic or hysteroscopic depending upon location
- Hysterectomy - women who have either completed their family
What are fibroids dependant on?
Oestrogen
Risk factors for fibroids
- Nulliparity
- Obesity
- Family history
Which type of fibroid causes menorrhagia?
- Fibroid of submucous origin
2. Distorts the endometrial cavity by increasing the endometrial surface area
Tx for fibroids
Fibroids are not removed unless they cause symptoms
First line medical Mx for Fibroids
First line - symptomatic management with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system is recommended by CKS first-line
Complication of fibroids
red degeneration - haemorrhage into tumour - commonly occurs during pregnancy
