FIBROID TUMORS


Fibroid tumors are solid clumps of tissue that are found in the wall of the uterus. Fibroid tumors almost always are benign which means they are not cancerous. One or several fibroids may develop on the inside or outside of the uterus, and may range in size from that of a pea to a grapefruit. Fibroid tumors happen most often in women 30 to 50 years of age. In fact, more than 20 percent of women over age 30 have symptoms from fibroids. They are probably related to the way the uterine muscle reacts to the hormone estrogen. Once fibroids have developed, their growth can be slowed by decreasing estrogen levels and may grow faster if a woman becomes pregnant. Fibroids almost always shrink after menopause, since estrogen levels drop naturally at that time. However, taking estrogen to treat symptoms of menopause does not usually cause increased growth of fibroids..

A fibroid tumor may cause the following symptoms:
1:heavy or prolonged menstrual periods,
2:pain during menstruation or during sexual intercourse,
3:frequent urination caused by a large tumor pressing against the bladder,
4:backaches or constipation from pressure on the bowel, and
5:rarely, a sudden pain in the lower abdomen.
A small fibroid may go unnoticed for months or even years.

As long as there are no symptoms, and a doctor determines the tumor is not interfering with pregnancy, no treatment is necessary. However, if the tumor begins to grow rapidly, or the woman notices excessive bleeding or pain during menstruation, professional care to treat the fibroids may be necessary. A doctor may suspect a fibroid tumor exists after doing a routine pelvic exam, but may need to confirm this by doing an ultrasound scan. If heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding is present, the doctor may perform another procedure called a D & C.

Once a diagnosis of fibroid tumors has been made, appropriate treatment will be recommended by the doctor. The goal of treatment is to reduce estrogen levels in the woman's body, since fibroid tumors depend on estrogen for growth. Eating a low-fat, vegetarian diet containing starches, vegetables and fruits, may help reduce estrogen levels in women who are overweight. However, for women who are not overweight and for overweight women who do not experience relief of symptoms from dietary changes, a doctor may prescribe medication that reduces estrogen production in the body. While this medication is the most common treatment for fibroid tumors, it may increase a woman's risk of developing osteoporosis and heart disease, both of which are prevented by higher levels of estrogen. In addition, using drugs to reduce estrogen is only a temporary treatment, as half or more of all fibroids will grow back to their previous size three months after the medication is stopped. If treating fibroid tumors with medication is not successful, surgery may be recommended:
1:to remove the tumor or tumors, which is called a myomectomy, and
in extreme cases, an operation called a hysterectomy to remove 2:the uterus.

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