UTERINE FIBROIDS (1)

What Are They?

Where Can They Be Located?

Who, When, How, Why?

Dr. Claude Allouche, Gynecologist Fibromes engl 1-3 bon
Ahuza Clinic, Raanana
058 726 02 64

Table of Contents:

A) What Are They?
B) Where Can They Be Located?
C) Who, When, How, Why?
D) Symptoms
E) Progression
F) How Are They Diagnosed?
G) During Pregnancy?
H) What Are the Medical Treatment Options?
I) What Are the Surgical Treatment Options?
J) Embolization Treatment: Who Is It For?
K) Uterine Fibroids (11): In a Few Words

A) UTERINE FIBROIDS: WHAT ARE THEY?

A uterine fibroid is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor that develops on the surface or within the muscular tissue of the uterus. This condition is common and influenced by factors such as heredity or hormones.

Anatomical Overview:

The uterus is the primary reproductive organ in women, designed to receive the fertilized ovum and support fetal development.

Situated in the pelvis, behind the bladder and in front of the rectum, the uterus is a hollow, triangular organ approximately 10 cm high and 5 cm wide. Its lower portion, the cervix, opens into the vagina. The larger upper part, the uterine body, connects to the uterine tubes at its upper corners.Fibromes1 mazé?

The uterine wall comprises three layers:

  1. Endometrium: The inner lining (in Hebrew, רירית).
  2. Myometrium: The middle muscular layer.
  3. Serosa: The outermost layer.

A fibroid is a benign tumor affecting the uterine muscle, also called fibromyoma, myoma, or leiomyoma in French; uterine fibroid in English; and שׁרירן (Shriran) in Hebrew.

Fibroids vary in size, ranging from microscopic to several hundred grams. They can also vary in number, from a single fibroid to multiple growths.

Fibroids are most often located within the uterine muscle but may also be connected by a stalk (pedunculated fibroids). When the uterus contains fibroids, it is termed "fibromatous" (רחם שרירני in Hebrew).

Uterine fibroids are common in women aged 30 to 50 but may occur earlier due to hereditary factors. Depending on their size, location, and number, fibroids can cause various gynecological issues, which will be detailed in subsequent publications.

B) UTERINE FIBROIDS: WHERE CAN THEY BE LOCATED?Fibrome 1-3 engl

A fibroid is a benign tumor of the uterine muscle. Depending on its location in the uterus, there are three types:

  1. Submucosal Fibroid:
    Located in the uterine cavity, growing inward and covered by the endometrium.

    • English: Submucous fibroid
    • Hebrew: שרירן סובמוקוזי or שרירן תת רירי

    Subtypes:

    • Pedunculated (attached by a stalk)
    • Sessile (broad base of attachment)

  2. Intramural Fibroid:
    Develops within the uterine muscle and may cause a protrusion on the uterine wall.

    • English: Intramural fibroid
    • Hebrew: שרירן אנטראמורלי or שרירן תוך דופני

    Most fibroids are intramural.FIBROME UTERIN (3): QUI, QUAND, COMMENT POURQUOI?

  3. Subserosal Fibroid:
    Protrudes from the external surface of the uterus into the peritoneal cavity. These may also be pedunculated or sessile.

    • English: Subserous fibroid
    • Hebrew: שרירן סובסרוס or שרירן תת נסיובי

Other less common locations:

  • Cervical or isthmic fibroids
  • Extra-uterine locations such as the uterine ligaments or ovaries.

C) UTERINE FIBROIDS: WHO, WHEN, HOW, WHY?

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors in women, affecting 1 in 3 women, particularly those aged 30–50. Their development is linked to factors like heredity and hormones.

In France, fibroids are the leading cause of hysterectomy (uterine removal) before menopause.

Causes:

The exact cause is unknown, but their growth is influenced by hormones, especially estrogen.

Lifecycle Variations:

  • During pregnancy, fibroids may grow due to high estrogen levels.
  • After menopause, they typically shrink unless hormone replacement therapy is used.

Risk Factors:

  • Genetic: Family history (first-degree relatives)
  • Ethnicity: More common in Black women of African or Caribbean descent
  • Lifestyle: Overweight or obesity
  • Childbearing History: More common in women who have never had children

For more information:

Detailed explanations of each topic are available in the following publications:

  1. Uterine Fibroids (1): What Are They?
  2. Uterine Fibroids (2): Where Can They Be Located?
  3. Uterine Fibroids (3): Who, When, How, Why?
  4. Uterine Fibroids (4): Symptoms
  5. Uterine Fibroids (5): Progression
  6. Uterine Fibroids (6): How Are They Diagnosed?
  7. Uterine Fibroids (7): During Pregnancy?
  8. Uterine Fibroids (8): Medical Treatment Options
  9. Uterine Fibroids (9): Surgical Treatment Options
  10. Uterine Fibroids (10): Embolization Treatment
  11. Uterine Fibroids (11): In a Few Words

#UterineFibroids #Fibroids #Myoma #Leiomyoma #Gynecology #Health #Endometrium #Menorrhagia #HormonalTreatment #LHRH #TranexamicAcid #Hysteroscopy #Laparotomy #AhuzaClinic #ClaudeAllouche