Is myoma malignant? Degeneration of uterine fibroids into a malignant tumor

Is a fibroid so dangerous, is an urgent operation needed, can or not a fibroid develop into cancer and how to treat it - these are the main questions of a woman who has been diagnosed with a neoplasm of any size.

What is fibromyoma

Myoma (leiomyoma, fibroma, fibromyoma) is a benign neoplasm in the tissues of the uterus, which consists of smooth fibers muscle tissue. Education can be single, and can develop simultaneously in several parts of the uterus.

Fibroma appears after the end of puberty and before menopause. This is due to the main feature of the tumor - dependence on female sex hormones (progesterone and estrogen). Neoplasms cause jumps and imbalances in the production of these hormones.

Other causes of fibroids:

• endocrine disorders;
• frequent inflammation in the pelvic area;
• injury to the abdominal cavity (frequent abortions, curettage, cleansing, bruises);
• obesity;
• diabetes;
• hereditary predisposition.

Myoma always has a round or oval shape, sometimes round tumors grow on a stalk. It begins its development from a very small size (on an ultrasound examination, a formation of 2-3 millimeters in size can be detected) and grows almost indefinitely without treatment. The size of fibroids is usually determined relative to the increase in the uterus due to its growth. As a unit of measurement, gynecologists take the size of the organ as during pregnancy (in weeks).

Small fibroids (up to 2.5 centimeters in diameter, i.e. up to 5-6 weeks) are most often found at a gynecologist's appointment. Almost all of them grow asymptomatically and do not pose any danger to the patient.

Medium fibromyomas (up to 6 centimeters, from 6 weeks) are removed as needed:

• if there is a risk of degeneration into cancer;
• if bleeding has opened;
• anemia appeared;
• concerned about pain in the pelvis or back;
• with concomitant diseases of the ovaries;
• fixed fast growth education.

A large fibroid carries the most danger. Most often, it is fibroids larger than 6 centimeters (age from 12 weeks) in diameter that cause cancerous processes in the uterus.

Can uterine fibroids turn into cancer?

Fibromyoma is a benign tumor and most often does not pose a threat to a woman's life. But doctors do not just recommend that women undergo an examination at least once a year, since the degeneration of fibroids into cancer sometimes does happen.

Every woman needs to know what causes cancer:

• bad habits (smoking, alcohol, addiction to drugs);
• unhealthy lifestyle (non-compliance with sleep and rest, unhealthy diet);
• lack of regular sexual intimacy;
• absence of childbirth and lactation up to 35 years;
• physical overload;
• abdominal trauma.

Is it possible to avoid cancer with fibroids

Cancer due to myomatous nodes is very rare, however, women should be more attentive to their health and strictly follow the recommendations of doctors:

• visit a gynecologist once every six months;
• Once a year, undergo an ultrasound diagnosis of the pelvis;
• say “no” to smoking and drinking alcohol (bad habits poison the body, which leads to failures and a decrease in resistance);
• adhere to the principles of proper nutrition (with fibroids, it is important that more fiber, minerals and vitamins enter the body, so portions of fruits and vegetables should be increased);
• avoid and treat any infections and inflammations in time;
• try to avoid drugs that have a carcinogenic effect on the body;
• do not take hormone-containing drugs without consulting a gynecologist;
• refuse to tan in the sun and in the solarium;
• avoid excessive physical exertion (physical overload greatly increases the blood supply to the pelvic organs, which can cause abnormal processes);
• do not visit the sauna and bath;
• keep your weight in check.

Signs of malignancy

Rapid growth is considered the first sign of malignancy of neoplasms in the body. However, fibroids are an exception to the rule, and even an increase of a few centimeters per year does not mean that the tumor has degenerated into cancer.

The risk of developing sarcoma increases with age. The growth of education after menopause is a bad sign.

When you need to see a doctor to rule out the development of cancer and start treatment of growing fibroids on time.

• Bleeding of bright scarlet or red-brown color has opened.
• Concerned about vaginal discharge (blood smearing, increased discharge, pus or ichor appeared).
• There were any pains in the abdomen or back (aching, sharp, cramping, etc.).
• Growth of education by more than 2 centimeters per year according to the results of ultrasound.
• Abdominal enlargement, not associated with weight gain.
• There were failures of the menstrual cycle (delays, lack of menstruation, prolonged bleeding).
• Changes general condition- Weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue.
• There were problems with urination or defecation (frequent urge, incomplete emptying of the bladder and intestines, pain during a trip to the toilet, constipation).
• Depression on the background of fibroids.

All these signs are not an indicator that cancer is developing. A huge number of other female diseases have similar symptoms: inflammation of the tissues of the vagina, uterus and cervix, or the growth of benign fibroids.

Cancer diagnosis

You can make sure that uterine fibroids have not developed into sarcoma in the following ways:

• take a clinical blood test (malignant processes are indicated by a strong increase in the number of leukocytes and ESR);
• undergo ultrasound diagnostics using a vaginal sensor (it will determine the changes that have occurred with the node: a bad sign is a change in the contours and excessive growth of the formation);
• undergo a biopsy of uterine fibroids (determination of the composition of tumor cells).

How is sarcoma treated?

The degeneration of fibroids into cancer, detected at an early stage or in the precancer stage, is perfectly treated. First of all, an operation is performed, during which only the tumor, part of the uterus or the entire uterus is removed (the degree of intervention depends on the stage of the disease). The woman then undergoes drug treatment, radiation or chemotherapy to avoid recurrence and destroy all cancer cells in the body and avoid the spread of metastases. With timely treatment of sarcoma, the prognosis is very favorable.

Uterine fibroids - no, it's not cancer. The risks of its degeneration into sarcoma with timely treatment and regular monitoring by a doctor are minimal. Take care of your health, lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid stress, visit regularly female doctor and you will most likely never have to be treated for cancer.

Can ordinary uterine fibroids develop into cancer?

After reading the word “fibroids” in the diagnosis, women immediately wonder if uterine fibroids can develop into cancer. This disease is quite common in women. Especially in adulthood. Often it is asymptomatic, and a woman may be unaware of its development. Accidentally discovered disease can seriously frighten a woman. If a fibroid is a tumor, then how likely is it to turn into a malignant one? After all, all benign tumors are dangerous, first of all, by the property of unexpectedly developing into malignant ones. How can rebirth be prevented and can fibroids be cured?

What is a myoma?

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that occur in muscle layer uterus - myometrium. It is a bundle of interwoven smooth muscle fibers. It has a rounded shape, and the sizes can be different. The size of the node can vary from a few millimeters to several centimeters. And in rare cases, the tumor can become very large. Some nodes, especially small ones, do not manifest themselves in any way.

Larger knots can cause symptoms in a woman, such as bloating in the abdomen, back pain, pressure on internal organs, frequent urination or unusual uterine bleeding.

With an increase in the nodes, the uterus also becomes larger. Therefore, the size of fibroids is usually determined in weeks, as the duration of pregnancy.

For example, a uterus with fibroids at 12 weeks is the same size as a uterus during pregnancy at 12 weeks of fetal development.

Often, several nodes of different sizes and localizations are detected at once. Such a state is called multiple myoma uterus.

According to statistics, this is one of the most common gynecological diseases.

Most often, uterine fibroids are diagnosed in the premenopausal period, but a node may appear at the age of 30 and during pregnancy. Due to the fact that the disease is often asymptomatic, doctors believe that its prevalence is much higher.

Myomatous nodes develop due to a number of factors:

1. Damage to the tissues of the uterus, which occur due to surgical interventions and various scrapings.
2. Inflammation of the genitals. Chronic diseases have a particularly detrimental effect on the general condition of the genital organs.
3. Chaotic sex life. There is a connection between a large number of sexual partners and the formation of fibroids. In such cases, large tumors are much more likely to be found.
4. Hormonal imbalance. The risk of developing nodes is greater in women who have not had pregnancies or who have impaired ovarian function. Work failures endocrine system can also lead to tumor development.
5. Excess weight. Obese women are much more likely to get sick.
6. An unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the development of uterine fibroids.
7. There is a version that women who are not able to experience an orgasm or do it very rarely are prone to the appearance of knots. Lack of discharge during intercourse does not allow blood to circulate naturally. Congestion appears in the pelvic organs. Over time, they lead to the development of a tumor.
8. In addition, the hereditary factor plays a role. In such cases, fibroids may appear at a young age.

To date, there is no convincing evidence of an increased risk of fibroid cells degenerating into cancer cells. Nodules appear in the muscle layer, and cancer cells develop in the epithelial layer of the uterus. The probability of degeneration of fibroid cells into cancer cells is the same as that of any other cells in the body.

Uterine sarcoma develops 30 times less frequently oncological diseases any other organ. And myoma does not provoke this disease in any way. Some time ago, in the United States, the uterus was removed from women with a hereditary predisposition to the appearance of malignant tumors in order to prevent this disease. But this did not affect the overall statistics of the detection of uterine sarcoma. Moreover, women with hysterectomies were more likely to subsequently develop malignant tumors in the mammary glands.

Prevention of the development of cancer

With a high probability, you can prevent uterine cancer if you follow some rules:

1. Rejection bad habits. Alcohol abuse or smoking contribute to intoxication of the body. Accumulating, toxins destroy all organs and systems, lower the body's resistance.
2. Healthy lifestyle. Balanced diet, good rest and sleep, moreover, moderate physical exercise and regular walks in the fresh air will improve health. A strong body is able to effectively defend itself against various diseases, including cancer.
3. No stress. Stress, especially those that affect a person regularly, can destroy the strongest organism. Some experts believe that severe stress can trigger the development of a malignant tumor. Stressful situations must be avoided.
4. No extra pounds. Excess weight loads all human organs and systems. Excessive load forces the organs to work in a stressful mode. In this state, they wear out faster, their protection is weakened. They become vulnerable to any diseases, including cancer.
5. No overheating. The effect of heat on the tumor stimulates its active development. Do not abuse warming procedures.
6. Absence of injuries. An injury to an organ can provoke the development of a malignant tumor in its tissues.
7. Eating foods containing vitamin A. Its lack can cause the development of cancer.

Fibroids treatment

Most fibroids do not negatively affect a woman's health and disappear on their own after menopause. Small tumors are simply observed. If the fibroids are uncomfortable or very large, they should be treated.

Treatment of fibroids is surgical and conservative. As a rule, doctors use a conservative method of treatment, since the risk of a tumor degenerating into a malignant one is negligible. The conservative method is hormone therapy. With the help of hormones, it is possible to achieve a state similar to that which appears during menopause. Hormonal drugs reduce bleeding, increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood. Tumors are reduced in size. It is not recommended to use them for more than 3-6 months, as they cause changes in bone tissue.

If a woman is in pain, she may be prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. But they do not reduce bleeding and cannot reduce the size of the node, like hormonal drugs.

Oral contraceptives, which a doctor may also recommend, will help control bleeding but will not reduce the size of the nodule.

There are also methods for non-invasive and minimally invasive treatment of fibroids. In the first case, heating and destruction of small nodes occurs with the help of sound surgery without tissue incision. Minimally invasive treatments involve the least amount of surgery.

Large and numerous fibroids are removed by the traditional surgical method. In some cases, the uterus is left, while in others it has to be removed. Complete removal of the uterus occurs when there is no other way to cure fibroids. After such an operation, childbearing becomes impossible.

What do you need to pay attention to?

A woman should be alerted by the rapid increase in fibroids. This feature is characteristic of malignant tumors. This phenomenon is especially dangerous after the onset of menopause.

Signs of cancer can be heavy and prolonged bleeding. Especially after menopause.

It should also be noted that the symptoms of fibroids and uterine cancer are largely similar. So cancer tumor may be mistaken for myoma. Rapid growth unusual for myoma is the reason for additional research. The doctor prescribes ultrasound and histological studies. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the uterus and ovaries are removed.

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Can fibroids turn into cancer?

The reasons for the origin of fibroids are not fully understood. The answer to the question - can fibroids develop into cancer, worries many modern women.

Often women in adulthood suffer from a common disease - uterine fibroids. Most of them do not have any symptoms. However, in some cases there are abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic discomfort, pain, pressure on the internal organs.

What is uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are muscle tumors that form from the fibers of the uterus. It consists mainly of muscle and fibrous tissue. This tumor is benign. Its presence is usually not dangerous. But often requires treatment.

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It can grow as a single tumor, or in multiple quantities.

Tumors may have different sizes from 2–3 cm to the size of a soccer ball, however, in most cases they do not exceed 10–15 cm.

Video: The main symptoms of uterine fibroids, diagnosis, treatment

Depending on the localization of fibroids, it mainly happens:

• subserous - is formed on the outer wall of the uterus and grows down to the pelvic cavity;
• interstitial - grows in the depth of the muscular layer of the uterus. The most common form, is able to increase the uterus both along and across;
• submucosal (submucosal) - it is rare, it develops deep in the uterine cavity;
• cervical - located in the form of a node in the tissues of the cervix.

Outside and inside the uterus, submucosal tumors can form, they are connected to the body of the uterus using connective tissue fibers (the legs look like balloons on a string).

Photo: Classification of fibroids according to their location relative to the uterus

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of uterine fibroids, or what causes them, depend in particular on the location of the tumor and the size. Most fibroids do not cause any symptoms, but in some cases, women can experience a lot of discomfort and pain.

• subserous and interstitial form of fibroids - can cause pain by putting pressure on neighboring organs. It is also possible to experience pain in the abdomen or lower back, which resembles sciatica. There may be a feeling of pressure on the bladder or rectum. In some cases, this leads to congestion and urinary incontinence.

Sometimes any of these forms of fibroids can cause chronic constipation and even intestinal obstruction. In the interstitial form, if the tumor has reached a large size, the abdomen begins to grow.

Submucosal fibroids can sometimes cause infertility, it prevents the passage of the egg, miscarriages and premature births. It sometimes happens that the leg of submucosal fibroids from the uterine cavity passes through the cervix and develops into the vagina. The emerging fibroid causes strong contractions, similar to labor pains.

Invasive cervical cancer and what it is can be found in this article.

Main reasons

The process begins when the cells begin to actively divide in the wall of the uterus. However, the causes of fibroids are not entirely clear. There are only many assumptions that science and clinical experience rely on.

Hormones. It is known that the female hormones estrogen and progesterone affect the development of fibroids. It contains more estrogen and progesterone receptors than normal uterine muscle cells.

Fibroids grow rapidly during pregnancy when hormone levels are elevated.

And as soon as a woman reaches menopause, the tumor stops growing and decreases in size, due to the reduction of hormones. However, not every woman with high hormone levels suffers from uterine fibroids.

genetic predisposition. There is a possibility of fibroids if there is a family history of cases of tumors in close relatives.

Risk factors. There are several risk factors that make a woman more vulnerable to fibroids.

However, none of them determines 100% the occurrence of the disease.

• abortions, inflammation and ovarian cysts;
• there is an assumption that the appearance of this tumor is a reaction of cells to injury, similar to the reaction of the skin, on which keloid scars form;
• obesity and overweight. The development of adipose tissue leads to increased production of estrogen, which can affect the development of fibroids. That is why it is very important not to gain excess weight and take care of it;
• the onset of menstruation at an early age;
• a large amount of red meat and green vegetables in the diet;
• Race - Black women are more likely to develop fibroids than women of other racial groups. In addition, they have a tumor at a younger age and larger.

Diagnostics

AT modern conditions It is easy to diagnose myoma.

1. A general examination is carried out - an anamnesis, gynecological and general inspection, Ultrasound of the small pelvis, laboratory examination, calposcopic diagnosis and, if necessary, a biopsy is performed.
2. Special examination. by the most effective method currently is MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). It can be used to identify any form of uterine fibroids.

Can fibroids turn into cancer?

The vast majority of fibroids are non-cancerous.

In very rare cases, fibroids can lead to a malignant tumor - a sarcoma, which is characterized by rapid growth and the detection of painful and heavy bleeding. Sarcomas are more common in postmenopausal women.

development cancer cells Many factors can contribute:

• wrong lifestyle. With uterine fibroids, it is categorically necessary to abandon bad habits, such as alcohol and smoking. They contribute to the intoxication of the body. A healthy full sleep is also necessary;
• improper nutrition. A woman who has any benign tumor should monitor her diet. The body in this case should receive a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals. It would be advisable to include in the diet a large amount of vegetables, fruits and fiber, which helps to cleanse the intestines;
• excess weight. It leads to metabolic disorders. A sedentary lifestyle, consumption of large amounts of carbohydrates - this leads to body fat;
• great physical activity, especially if they increase blood circulation in the pelvis. This can cause the tumor to grow, nourishing it. The presence of a large tumor increases the risk of its transition to cancer;
• heating of the tumor. It can also provoke its growth, increasing blood supply.
• stress. With any tumors, you should try to avoid stressful situations. Many experts claim that frequent stress can lead to oncology.
• injury. Can wake up and provoke the growth of cancer cells.
• lack of vitamin E - also contributes to a malignant neoplasm.

When are there reasons to worry about fibroids?

Often, uterine fibroids do not cause much discomfort. If suddenly the clinical picture began to change, red-brown discharge, bleeding, pain appeared, then this is a sure sign that some changes are taking place.

A malignant tumor can develop inside the fibroids. If the node began to grow rapidly, this may also indicate the degeneration of the tumor. Such symptoms are especially dangerous for women who have experienced menopause.

In these cases, you should immediately consult a doctor in order to exclude oncology or detect it in time.

If the fibroid grows rapidly, then in some cases this may indicate the development of uterine sarcoma.

Tactics of further actions in case of degeneration into cancer

If, after the examination, the degeneration of the tumor is confirmed. Then you should immediately begin treatment and follow the recommendations of the oncologist.

An additional examination is to be carried out to determine the nature and stage of the cancer. Then the appropriate treatment will be prescribed. Cancer is a dangerous disease, its diagnosis and treatment cannot be postponed. It can very quickly metastasize to other organs.

Treatment

Most uterine fibroids are harmless, cause no symptoms, and shrink with menopause. But some fibroids can cause pain, put pressure on internal organs, cause bleeding and anemia, and problems with pregnancy.

The nature of the treatment of fibroids is determined by factors such as the age of the patient, the size of the nodes, their multiplicity, the severity of symptoms, the desire to have children. All women with fibroids should be under the supervision of a doctor and do an ultrasound scan once a year.

There are two main ways to treat the disease:

The conservative method includes hormone therapy to reduce bleeding and pressure on the pelvis, as well as slow tumor growth.

This method of treatment is effective when the nodes are not large and rapidly growing. Treatment is usually with GnRH agonists.

They block the production of estrogen and progesterone, which allows you to achieve a state of temporary menopause. As a result of stopping menstruation, fibroids shrink and hemoglobin rises. Your doctor may prescribe GnRH to reduce the size of fibroids to planned operation. Many women experience hot flashes while using agonists. Such drugs are usually not used for more than 3-6 months. Long-term use may result in bone loss.

Your doctor may recommend other medications, such as oral contraceptives or progestins, to help control your menstrual bleeding, but they do not shrink the fibroids. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are not hormonal drugs may be effective in relieving pain associated with fibroids. But they do not reduce uterine bleeding. At heavy bleeding and the presence of anemia, it is possible for a doctor to prescribe vitamins and iron.

The non-invasive method of treating uterine fibroids preserves the uterus, does not require an incision, and is performed in the laboratory. It is based on MRI - guided sound surgery. The mechanism of action involves heating and destroying small areas of fibrous tissue with ultrasonic waves.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Some procedures can get rid of fibroids without actually removing them with surgery.

• embolization of the uterine arteries. Small particles are injected into the arteries supplying the uterus, blocking blood flow to the fibroids. Myomatous nodes do not receive nutrition, this causes them to decrease and die. This technique can be effective in shrinking fibroids and relieving symptoms.

Complications can occur if the blood supply to the ovaries or other organs is compromised. Embolization cannot be performed if cancer is suspected, if the fibroids grow outside the uterus, or if the fibroids are larger than 10 cm;

Video: Uterine artery embolization

Traditional surgical methods

Methods of traditional surgical procedures include:

• abdominal myomectomy. It is carried out in the presence of several nodes, and if the tumors have reached very large sizes. An incision is made in the abdomen to gain access to the uterus. Tumors are removed. The uterus is preserved.
• hysterectomy. This is an operation to remove the uterus. It is a very serious procedure. After it, childbearing becomes impossible. Sometimes a hysterectomy is the only way out in the treatment of myomas.

What life is like after cervical cancer can be found here.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix - malignant tumor, the source of which is the epithelium that covers the outer, vaginal part of the cervix (cervix, cervix)? Read more here.

Cancer treatment

With the degeneration of fibroids into a malignant tumor (usually sarcoma), prerequisite there will be a removal of the uterus and ovaries, and sometimes regional lymph nodes. Radiation therapy is also used.

After surgical treatment chemotherapy is usually given.

At stage 3 of the disease is shown complex therapy, at stage 4, polychemotherapy is used. After the operation, a remission of one and a half to two years is possible. The prognosis is usually unfavorable.

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The information on the site is provided for informational purposes only, does not claim to be reference and medical accuracy, and is not a guide to action.

Do not self-medicate. Consult with your physician.

Myoma is a benign tumor with bad intentions

Myoma or leiomyoma, uterine fibromyoma is the most common benign tumor in women of late reproductive or premenopausal age, arising from the cells of the myometrium - the muscular layer of the uterus.

The tumor is a tangle of randomly intertwined fibers of the smooth muscles of the myometrium, usually found in the form of a rounded knot or nodes.

Myoma is a hormone-dependent disease, often developing against the background of various conditions that cause an imbalance of hormones, such as polyps, anovulation, endometrial hyperplasia. The most common soil for the appearance of fibroids is an increase in the level of the female sex hormone estrogen, which is produced by the ovaries in women of reproductive age.

That is why fibroids rarely occur in girls before puberty and postmenopausal women, when estrogen production is significantly reduced. An increase in the level of hormones in the blood of a pregnant woman often stimulates and accelerates the growth of a tumor, while in postmenopause, small nodes decrease until they disappear completely.

Characteristic features of the tumor

As a benign tumor, leiomyoma has a number of features:

Fibroids are the most common tumor in the uterus of women. Tumors of small sizes, corresponding to pregnancy up to 10 weeks, are able to maintain a stable state for a long time and not increase in size, however, in the presence of provocateurs (inflammation of the appendages and uterus, curettage, prolonged plethora of the pelvic organs) begins to grow rapidly.

Fibroids are capable of not only growth, but also regression, even complete disappearance after menopause. However, in one in ten cases, the tumor continues to grow during several years of the menopausal period, mainly during the course of the disease along with endometrial hyperplasia or proliferative ovarian diseases.

Although fibroids are considered benign, cases of malignancy have been observed. This occurs extremely rarely, in approximately 1-1.5% of patients who have been found to have large nodular fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are characterized by diversity clinical manifestations. It may be asymptomatic, or it may have pronounced symptoms. All this depends on a lot of factors, including the localization of the tumor (submucosal, subperitoneal, intermuscular and intermediate variants), its size (small, medium, large), as well as the nature of growth.

Classification of fibroids into types

In 95% of cases, fibroids are located in the body of the uterus, in its muscular wall, on the internal mucosa or on outside uterus (in the abdomen). And only 1 out of 20 tumors develops on the neck.

Subserous view

Single subserous nodes small sizes in most cases do not manifest themselves for a long time. However, as they increase, signs of malnutrition of the tumor may appear, as a result of which the risk of pedicle torsion increases.

In this case, the patient may experience discomfort, periodic sharp or pulling pains in the lower abdomen. The pain can radiate to the lumbar region, perineum and leg. Torsion of the leg of the myomatous node or the development of necrosis is often accompanied by severe pain, worsening of the general condition of the patient, irritation of the peritoneum and general clinical signs of the so-called "acute abdomen".

Interstitial-subserous appearance

Intermediate nodes of this type are less susceptible to destructive processes resulting from malnutrition of the tumor. They do not manifest themselves for a long time, so they can reach huge sizes. The rapid growth of the node is usually accompanied by a feeling of discomfort and heaviness in the lower part, an increase in the abdomen.

The pain is associated with stretching of the uterine wall, as well as the pressure of a large node on the nerve endings of the pelvic organs. Malnutrition of the node is almost always accompanied by acute pain. If a large node is reached, pressure on neighboring organs is possible, up to a violation of their functions.

The pressure of the node on the bladder may be accompanied by frequent urge to urinate, incomplete emptying of the bladder and, as a result, the development of infections in the urinary tract. The node located on the back wall puts pressure on the rectum, disrupts defecation.

Large lateral nodes can compress the ureters, obstruct the outflow of urine on one side and contribute to the occurrence of hydroureter and hydronephrosis. Myoma nodes of the subserous type rarely disrupt menstrual function, but multiple nodes can lead to impaired contractility of the myometrium.

Nodular view of uterine fibroids

Nodes that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus lead to its increase, and also often affect the contractility of the myometrium.

At the same time, the duration and profusion of menstruation increase in patients, spotting between menstruation is less common, while there is no direct relationship between the size of the node and uterine bleeding.

In patients with uterine fibroids, against the background of blood loss, anemia may develop, which can also be the result of the accumulation of large volumes of blood in an enlarged uterus.

With the growth of the interstitial myomatous node to a large size (more than 20 weeks of pregnancy), inferior vena cava syndrome may occur, manifested in the observation of shortness of breath and increased heart rate when taking horizontal position body.

In addition, the growth of nodular fibroids may be accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, heaviness and enlargement of the abdomen, acute urinary retention and the development of hydronephrosis.

submucosal appearance

In this disease, the tumor is localized on the inner lining of the uterus. It can be located on the leg, and also have a wide muscular base. With the development of the node, the patient has abundant and prolonged menstrual and intermenstrual bleeding with clots, often leading to anemia, as well as severe cramping pain in the lower abdomen. During uterine contractions, pedunculated nodes may protrude into the cervical canal and vagina. Submucosal fibroids are often accompanied by miscarriage and infertility.

Juvenile fibroids

The disease often occurs in young nulliparous women. The beginning of the development of nodes of this type often coincides with the period of puberty in girls, the restructuring of the hormonal background and the first menstruation. Precursor cells of a future tumor are born even during the intrauterine development of the fetus and, when the necessary hormonal stimulus appears, they begin to develop.

How big is the tumor

The size of myoma nodes can vary from a few millimeters to tens of centimeters in diameter. This parameter, as well as the localization of the tumor, is always taken into account when making a diagnosis and choosing a method of treatment. In addition, control of the size of the node makes it possible to apply conservative methods of treatment, while maintaining childbearing function sick.

When ultrasound was not available, the size of the fibroids was measured in weeks of pregnancy. With the growth of the node, the size of the uterus also increases, which is quite possible to observe even when viewed on a chair. These convenient "measures" are used to this day, although modern diagnostic methods make it possible to determine the size of myomatous nodes with an accuracy of up to a millimeter.

The size of the myomatous node is less than 6 weeks of pregnancy. A tumor of this size with an asymptomatic course is subject to conservative treatment. It is removed only in cases of submucosal location, subserous at risk of torsion of the leg, as well as in case of infertility or anemia. Small fibroids may shrink and disappear completely in postmenopausal women.

The size of the myomatous node is comparable to the uterus at 6-12 weeks of pregnancy. In this case, conservative treatment is also possible to stop the growth of the tumor, but only in the case of asymptomatic development of the disease and the absence of signs of rapid growth. With fibroids of this size, there is a high risk of infertility and miscarriage. In the case of an external location, the node may disrupt the functions of neighboring organs.

The term applies to a tumor larger than 12 weeks of gestation. Regardless of the location and type of node, it must be deleted. Among the large knots, there were specimens that reached the size of a mature pregnancy and weighed 3 kg.

Causes of the disease

The tumor begins to develop from a single cell, therefore, on early stages it is impossible to detect it. The process of growing a microscopic node to a noticeable size takes about five years.

The onset of microscopic fibroid nodes most often occurs at the age of 30: by that time, women already have time to face gynecological, somatic diseases and neuroendocrine disorders.

All this can cause somatic mutation of individual cells. reproductive system, which becomes the start of tumor development. The subsequent development of the node requires favorable soil for tumor progression.

It can be created by the following factors:

• prolonged improper contraception;
• abortions;
• inflammation of the appendages and uterus;
• endometriosis;
• lack of childbirth and lactation;
• ultraviolet irradiation;
• stress;
• formation of cysts and ovarian cysts.

By the time the functional activity of the ovaries begins to decline, the hormonal background changes and the fibroids begin to grow more intensively. Thus, by the age of the myomatous node on the uterus just reaches a large size, which becomes the cause of the most frequent operations for the removal of fibroids in patients of this particular age.

According to modern gynecologists, the cause of fibroids lies in late motherhood and low fertility. The body of a woman is initially set up to bear several pregnancies with short breaks between them.

If pregnancy does not occur for a long time, the body begins to “grow” its own “pregnancy” in the form of fibroids. And the further growth of the node is supported by injuries and diseases of the woman, weak immunity.

The reason for the appearance of myomatous nodes in young women lies in the peculiarities of the biology of their reproductive organs: uterine cells may initially develop incorrectly and the girl is born with cells already prepared for the formation of fibroids.

What are the symptoms of patients

It is known that in the early stages the disease can be asymptomatic, and subserous myoma makes itself felt only when it reaches a significant size. Therefore, the best option for every woman would be a regular visit to the gynecologist and an annual ultrasound examination.

In some cases, the disease manifests itself. At the same time, menstrual flow may become more abundant, clots may appear in the blood, the duration of menstruation may increase, slight uterine bleeding may begin in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

Sometimes there is heaviness in the abdomen, a feeling of pressure on the bladder or intestines. Upon reaching the fibroids of medium and large sizes, the abdomen increases, periodic pulling pains pursue. There are problems with carrying a pregnancy or its onset.

With heavy bleeding severe pain radiating to the leg, groin or lower back, weakness, sweating, urge to vomit should be immediately sent to the doctor, as these symptoms may indicate torsion of the fibroid leg, its prolapse, death, rupture, as well as a host of other life-threatening diseases.

Impact of uterine fibroids on current pregnancy

During pregnancy, there is a rapid change in the hormonal background in the body, due to which the myomatous nodes soften and begin to grow.

Not always a favorable start of pregnancy is compatible with the development of fibroids: the presence of a node in the uterus increases the risk of spontaneous abortion.

In addition, during pregnancy there is a high probability of pinched fibroids, torsion of the legs and disruption of the pelvic organs.

The highest risk of miscarriage is in the presence of a submucosal node and fixation of the placenta on the surface of the fibroid. Subserous myoma of small or medium size has little effect on the course of pregnancy and makes it possible to endure and give birth to a healthy child.

However, whatever the tumor, a pregnant woman should be seen by a doctor at least once every two weeks.

In some cases, when fibroids are detected, the doctor may advise you to terminate the pregnancy. Most often, this question arises due to the diagnosis of a large fibroid, a node in the cervix, as well as accelerated tumor growth.

In nulliparous women after 35, the risk of complications is much higher, especially if the node is located in the wall of the uterus or in its cavity, blood circulation is disturbed

Modern types of disease diagnosis

One of the most informative modern methods diagnosis of leiomyoma is echography. Ultrasound examination in this case is only 92-95% effective. To clarify the location of the nodes, differential diagnosis tumors of the abdominal space and subserous myomatous nodes use magnetic resonance imaging, which gives a three-dimensional image, allows you to more accurately determine the size and localization of the nodes compared to ultrasound.

Hydrosonography makes it possible to distinguish the submucosal node from the endometrial polyp, more accurately determine its location and characterize the degree of destruction of the uterus. Hysteroscopy is performed to diagnose the presence of small nodes.

For the purpose of excluding pathological changes mucous membrane of the cervical canal and the endometrium of the uterus in patients with myomatous nodes of any size, a separate diagnostic curettage of the inner lining of the uterus is performed with the obligatory histological examination taken materials.

If it is impossible to differentiate between tumors of the abdominal cavity and subserous uterine fibroids by non-invasive methods, laparoscopy is indicated.

What treatments are relevant today

The detection of any myoma node requires immediate treatment, which, depending on the location of the tumor, the stage of its development, the presence or absence of symptoms, can be either surgical or conservative.

Surgery to remove a tumor

Surgical treatment of uterine fibroids is the leading and most effective. Indications for it can be large blood loss during menstruation, the detection of a large tumor (more than 12 weeks of pregnancy), as well as its rapid growth, malnutrition of the node, the presence of other tumors of the reproductive organs, endometriosis, infertility.

Urgently, the operation is performed in case of severe uterine bleeding, torsion of the legs of the subserous myomatous node, the presence of submucosal nodes. Surgical treatment can be conservative and radical.

Conservative surgical interventions include:

Indications for its implementation are small nodes on the leg, subserous, intramural or intermediate tumors no larger than 20 mm in diameter. During the operation in abdominal cavity a camera and surgical instruments are inserted through small punctures, tumors are excised and sutures are applied.

The recovery period lasts up to 3 days, there is no noticeable cosmetic effect, no adhesions are formed in the small pelvis. Contraindications to this type of intervention is the presence of more than three myomatous nodes.

It is indicated if it is necessary to remove submucosal nodes. It is carried out vaginally, the least traumatic compared to other methods. Contraindications to its implementation are infectious diseases of the genital tract, suspicion of hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of the endometrium.

Laparotomy with myectomy.

It is prescribed in cases where access to myomatous nodes is difficult by hysteroscopy or laparoscopy. In some cases, during the operation, the expediency of preserving the uterus is decided.

After any conservative treatment, relapses are possible. The only way permanently get rid of fibroids is to perform a hysterectomy or complete removal nodes along with the uterus and appendages. A radical solution to the problem is offered to women of postmenopausal age, as well as in cases where the above methods have not yielded results.

Treatment of uterine fibroids without surgery

Conservative therapy of fibroids is carried out in order to stop the development and reduce the size of the tumor. In this case, steroid drugs are prescribed that suppress the production of hormones, inhibit the growth of tumors and contribute to their speedy disappearance.

However, drug treatment does not always give the expected effect, therefore, in the absence of the need for surgical treatment, it is possible to supplement drug treatment, for example, folk, or replace it with more modern procedures, such as uterine artery embolization or FUS ablation of fibroids.

Embolization

The essence of the method is to prevent the transport of nutrients to the tumor in order to reduce it and possibly disappear. The procedure is painless and does not require anesthesia, tissue damage.

Through the femoral artery, the surgeon inserts a catheter into the uterine artery and launches a special substance that blocks the access of blood to the myomatous node.

At the same time, the remaining parts of the myometrium continue to function. During the first three months, there is a decrease in the node by approximately 40%, six months - up to 65%. This method allows you to save the body and prepare the body for the onset and normal bearing of pregnancy.

FUS ablation of fibroids

This method involves the impact on the tumor with focused ultrasound, its heating in order to cause necrosis of the node. The procedure does not require the penetration of instruments into the body cavity and direct contact with the myoma: the impact occurs through the abdominal wall. It is performed on an outpatient basis, does not require anesthesia. The effectiveness of the method is questioned, because most patients experience relapses.

Methods of treatment from traditional medicine

The effectiveness of alternative treatment of fibroids has not been proven. However, why not try some of the remedies for yourself, especially since the method involves eating plant materials.

When bleeding, 2 handfuls of carrot tops are brewed with 1 liter of boiling water and insisted. Take half a glass before meals until the bleeding stops.

Prepare a mixture of strawberry leaves, St. 2 tbsp. l. the mixture is poured with a liter of boiling water and insisted overnight. Take twice a day before meals for 0.5 tbsp. for a long time with breaks of 10 days every 2 months.

Prepare an infusion of 2 tbsp. l. series, 1 tbsp. l. tops of flowering yarrow, 1 tbsp. l. motherwort herbs and 0.5 liters of boiling water. Leave for exactly one hour and strain. Take twice a day before meals for ½ tbsp.

When breastfeeding, there are some troubles, find out why cracks appear on the nipples and how to fix it correctly.

The symptoms of preterm labor described in this article will help you buy time.

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Consequences after removal of uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are classified as benign tumors. The malignancy of the nodes occurs with the same probability as the appearance of oncological foci on the body of a healthy uterus. After removal of fibroids, the prognosis for life is favorable, moreover, most women in the future can become pregnant and give birth to healthy children. However, in the case of conservative treatment with preservation of the body of the uterus, relapses are possible.

In some cases enhanced growth tumors, its spread, as well as numerous nodes may require radical treatment with the removal of the uterine body and the exclusion of reproductive function. Even the smallest nodes, the treatment of which was not started on time, can lead to similar consequences (primary and secondary infertility).

Therefore, the main prevention of the development of large fibroids and loss of reproductive function is a regular visit to the gynecologist, an annual gynecological ultrasound, as well as timely and urgent treatment of even the smallest detected myomatous node.

Almost 30% of the total adult female population around the world asks the question: what is fibroids? This disease creeps up imperceptibly, and it is very difficult to recognize it at the very initial stage. She is like a black cat in a dark room: both there and not visible. So what is this disease anyway?

Myoma is a benign tumor of the uterus, which develops from muscle fibers and connective tissue elements. Depending on the ratio of muscles and connective tissue in the structure of the tumor, in recent times it had a variety of names: myoma, fibroma, fibromyoma. But since fibroid nodes often develop from a muscle cell, most doctors today consider the term “myoma” or “leiomyoma” to be correct.

Most often, myoma is a slowly growing tumor, and a tumor capable of recurrence and degeneration into malignant neoplasm. Every woman should know about this!

When does it occur?

The development of uterine fibroids is a benign hormone-controlled increase in the thickness of the muscular layer of the uterus - the myometrium. And there can be many reasons contributing to the beginning of this process.

Hormones only control the growth of fibroids, and it occurs spontaneously - after abortion, improper contraception, chronic inflammatory processes in female organs, hormonal disorders, stress, due to excessive love for tanning, against the background of obesity or hereditary predisposition. In a word, fibroids are formed after everything that can provoke tumor growth in our body.

If we had the opportunity to look inside the muscular layer of the uterus at the very beginning of the development of fibroids, we would see an extremely interesting picture. The cells of the uterus spontaneously begin to actively divide. The reasons for this phenomenon have not been fully elucidated, however, it has been established that it is associated primarily with increased secretion of estrogen hormones, which stimulate the growth of fibroids. Progesterone, on the contrary, causes its reverse development. This is supported by the fact that fibroids increase in size during pregnancy and decrease in the postmenopausal period.

At the same time, the normal balance of estrogen and progesterone in the blood is not at all a guarantee of the absence of fibroids: it can arise with slight fluctuations in hormonal levels.

How is myoma diagnosed?

Fibroids are most often detected at a gynecological examination. In this case, the doctor can only state the fact of the presence of uterine fibroids. In other situations, the first signs of fibroids may be pain in the lower abdomen or in the lumbar region, bleeding, changes in the menstrual cycle, dysfunction of neighboring organs, such as frequent urination. The classic manifestations of uterine fibroids are prolonged regular menstruation, against which there are often irregular uterine bleeding - metrorrhagia. When these symptoms appear, you should go to the gynecologist for an appointment.

Diagnosis of fibroids is not difficult if there is an increase in the size of the uterus, uterine bleeding, deformation of the uterus with fibroid nodes. It can be detected by probing the uterus through the anterior abdominal wall. The final confirmation of the diagnosis is given by ultrasound, hysteroscopy or hysterography. The last two methods are contraindicated for pregnant women. Sometimes doctors may prescribe computed tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance to clarify the diagnosis.

Should she be treated?

Fibroids can "dissolve" on their own if the hormonal background of the body changes. Conditions contributing to this: the small size of fibroids, the absence of symptoms and progression for a sufficiently long period of time. For example, during or after menopause.

However, myoma is often operated on. By itself, the presence of fibroids is not always an indication for surgery. It all depends on the condition of the patient, the severity of symptoms and the size of the tumor.

Indications for surgery to remove fibroids are pain, rapid growth in the size of the node, suspicion of degeneration into a malignant tumor, impaired blood supply in the nodes of the fibroid and inflammatory changes in them, failure of the functions of neighboring organs - the bladder, intestines; infertility - when all other causes have already been excluded. If an experienced gynecologist believes that surgery is necessary, then the sooner it is done, the better.

In general, after 40 years and in postmenopausal age, if there is surgical indications an operation to remove the myomatous uterus is necessary, because if the myoma did not regress in the first 2 years of postmenopause, its further existence is accompanied by the risk of oncopathology - adenocarcinoma, sarcoma.

There is also a conservative solution to the problem. Uterine fibroids should be monitored regularly using ultrasound vaginal probe. In many cases, this is quite enough, and no treatment, either conservative or even more surgical, is required. If a woman periodically experiences discomfort or pain in the pelvic area, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective. But the appointment of hormonal drugs in order to reduce the size of the node is completely unjustified.

Today, another method of treatment has been developed - transcatheter embolization of myomatous nodes, in which the node is deprived of blood supply and undergoes regression without the slightest harm to the uterus as a whole, but this method is still experimental and not widely used.

The most modern method of treating fibroids is immunocorrection with the help of a special vaccine, which contributes to the formation of a specific immune response against this disease. Such treatment is used in young patients with tiny fibroids and at the very beginning, at the start of the disease. The goal of treatment is to preserve the uterus and enable the patient to give birth at the right time.

But what about prevention?

We have already talked about it. This is:
- regular visits to the gynecologist for early diagnosis of the disease;
- prevention of abortion;
- smart approach hormonal contraceptives under the supervision of a physician.

Myoma is a common pathology of the muscular wall of the uterus. Fibroids are often referred to as "benign fibroids" or "benign uterine tumors".

Please note that this text was prepared without the support of our.

The true cause of the formation of nodes in the muscular wall of the genital organ is still unknown, but factors are known that can stimulate the development of fibroids.

What is benign uterine fibroids

Myoma or leiomyoma, fibromyoma - the names of a benign formation, depending on the predominance of connective or muscle tissue in the tumor, develop in the myometrium, the muscular layer of the uterus. A benign formation consists of intertwining smooth muscle fibers. Due to their rounded shape, fibroids are called nodular formations, nodes. Myoma nodes range from a few millimeters in diameter to huge sizes, when the weight of the fibroids reaches several kilograms. Studies of the causes of the appearance of a tumor, factors affecting its growth are ongoing. Long time thought to be the cause of the development benign tumor is a hormonal imbalance in a woman's body, but fibroids began to be found in women with normal level hormones. It was believed that they develop in women of late reproductive age, in the premenopausal period, but fibroids have become increasingly diagnosed in young girls and women.

Benign tumor-like nodules are more common in women childbearing age often in very young girls. Benign nodes are diagnosed in the premenopausal period, after 40 years, there are cases of growth after menopause. Such cases are associated with hormonal changes in the body, imbalance of hormones - this has a negative effect on the reproductive organ, accelerates the growth of tumor-like nodes. Women who have not given birth and women with one or two children are forced to cope with hormonal surges (menstruation) all their lives - this causes the development of fibroids. Menstruation is a damaging factor for the myometrium, numerous menstruation during life causes a somatic mutation of myometrial cells - fibroids develop. Factors that stimulate tumor development include: genetic predisposition, acute and chronic gynecological diseases, abortions, difficult childbirth, lack of pregnancies, stress and many other factors.

In most countries in the past, the main treatment was hysterectomy. A tumor-like node that reached a certain size was removed along with the uterus, which caused the development severe complications in women who have undergone hysterectomy. Modern doctors are developing new organ-preserving methods of treating the disease, preserving the reproductive organ and women Health. Often, doctors call myoma a benign tumor, at the same time, such a statement is not entirely accurate. Myoma is a benign formation of muscle tissue, which very rarely turns into a malignant state, may not show symptoms and is found by chance during a doctor’s examination, or may be accompanied by painful periods, bleeding, rapid growth of a benign formation, fatigue, anemia, infertility. If you have these symptoms, it will help you get timely medical attention.

Benign fibroids and pregnancy

The disease rarely causes a woman's infertility. The chance of conception and pregnancy decreases if a benign node prevents the advancement of spermatozoa, compresses the fallopian tubes, and prevents the attachment of the fetal egg. A large number of women becomes pregnant, not suspecting that the uterus is affected by nodes. Small tumors rarely affect the fetus during pregnancy, with the exception of multiple organ damage. The ability to endure pregnancy will depend on the location of the fibroids, the place of attachment of the fetal egg, at the same time, the risk of premature termination of pregnancy increases.

A change in the hormonal background during pregnancy in some cases leads to a decrease in the tumor, in most cases, under the influence of hormones, muscle tissue grows. Doctors recommend getting treatment before planning pregnancy. Uterine fibroids not only create a risk of complications during pregnancy (placental abruption, anomalies of presentation and position of the fetus, other complications), it can cause a protracted labor activity, in many cases becomes the cause of a caesarean section, postpartum complications.

Is there a malignant tumor of uterine fibroids

Myoma rarely degenerates into a malignant tumor, but such cases do occur. Very rarely, a benign formation of the uterus degenerates into uterine sarcoma. Most often, a sarcoma tumor develops during the postmenopausal period, accompanied by bleeding and pain, the rapid growth of a malignant tumor. Factors contributing to the development of a malignant tumor of the uterus include:

• Stress. Chronic stress often causes the development of cancer, as it leads to a decrease in immunity.
• Organ injury.
• Obesity. Obesity is accompanied by metabolic disorders, hormonal balance.
• Bad habits.
• Irrational nutrition. The lack of vitamins and microelements leads to disruption of the work of many organs, systems, and a decrease in the body's defenses.
• Great physical activity.
• Women with uterine tumors are not recommended to visit the sauna, bath, take a hot bath.

To avoid the degeneration of a benign node into a malignant tumor, you should regularly visit a gynecologist, undergo treatment for diseases of the genital area, fibroids.

Treatment of benign formation - fibroids

Treatment of benign fibroid formation consists of several methods. Each method is used in specific cases:

• Conservative method: drug treatment with GnRH agonists.
• Surgical methods: hysteroresectoscopy, laparoscopic removal of nodes, amputation of the uterus.
• Minimal invasive procedures: uterine artery embolization.

The treatment of the disease is preceded by an examination that helps to establish the type, location, size of fibroids, the condition of the uterine cavity, the presence of concomitant diseases. Diagnosis of the disease is carried out using ultrasound with a transvaginal sensor, MRI, CT, hysteroscopy, the patient is sent for research - blood tests for hormone levels and others. With the help of hysteroscopy, the localization of a tumor-like formation, its size, and quantity are determined with great accuracy. During the procedure, the doctor may take a biopsy of the tumor tissue. Hysteroscopy allows you to determine the deformation of the organ cavity, the condition of the uterine mucosa. Ultrasound allows you to determine the presence of nodes in the myometrium, the deformation of the contours of the organ, the size of benign formations, the area of ​​​​location. To consult an experienced professional, you should

Conservative treatment of fibroids

The choice of treatment method depends on many factors: the age of the patient, health status, size, location, growth rate of fibroids, the presence of children. Conservative therapy may include treatment with a single hormonal drug or a complex of hormones, one of the methods of treatment is an intrauterine device with a hormonal content. Such treatment is carried out with small myomatous nodes, helps to stop the growth of benign formations. It is not recommended to use the drug "Dufaston", which refers to the factors affecting the increase in fibroids.

Surgical treatment of the myomatous node

Surgical treatment is carried out by organ-preserving methods and a radical method. Organ-preserving methods are the removal of nodes by laparoscopic and hysteroscopic access. Hysteroscopic myomectomy is considered the most optimal method for removing submucosal fibroids. Organ-preserving techniques can reduce the time of rehabilitation after surgical intervention, but have certain indications for their implementation.

A radical operation to remove a genital organ with large tumor-like nodes is performed using an abdominal approach, during which the anterior abdominal wall is injured. After such an operation, various complications often occur, the rehabilitation period is long.

Embolization of the uterine arteries

Uterine artery embolization is one of the innovative, organ-preserving, minimally invasive methods of treatment. During the procedure, medical polymer emboli are used. The procedure does not require general anesthesia, long-term preparation of the patient. UAE preserves the woman's reproductive organ, improves the quality of life, and practically does not give complications.

During the procedure, the patient is injected with a special catheter through the femoral artery into the blood vessels of the uterus. Emboli accumulate in the blood vessels of tumors and stop blood circulation. Tumors begin to degrade, decrease in size, eventually degenerate into connective tissue. The endovascular surgeon observes the procedure on the monitor, uterine artery embolization is carried out under the control of modern x-ray equipment. After the UAE, the patient is under the supervision of a doctor for some time, then goes home. A small puncture remains at the insertion site of the catheter, which heals quickly.

Embolization of the uterine arteries allows you to subsequently successfully endure pregnancy, childbirth takes place naturally. After the procedure, there are no scars on the uterus, the emboli are soldered by connective tissue, they lose the ability to move, and do not adversely affect the woman's body. Very rarely, after UAE, relapses occur. They are determined by ultrasound during the first six months after the procedure, when the resumption of blood supply to the tumor is detected. Additionally, embolization of the uterine arteries is carried out, and the fibroid dies. A large role in the effectiveness of UAE is played by the drug for embolization and the experience of the endovascular surgeon. Deciding on the procedure, take responsibility for the choice of clinic and surgeon. Here you can choose highly professional services and doctors, choose.

Bibliography

• Savitsky G. A., Ivanova R. D., Svechnikova F. A. The role of local hyperhormonemia in the pathogenesis of the growth rate of the mass of tumor nodes in uterine myoma // Obstetrics and gynecology. - 1983. - T. 4. - S. 13-16.
• Sidorova I.S. Uterine fibroids (modern aspects of etiology, pathogenesis, classification and prevention). In: Uterine fibroids. Ed. I.S. Sidorova. M: MIA 2003; 5-66.
• Meriakri A.V. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of uterine fibroids. Sib honey journal 1998; 2:8-13.

Every time a gynecologist informs a patient of her diagnosis: a benign tumor of the uterus, he is forced to observe the same picture: panic, tears, confusion and a frozen question in his eyes: “How long to live, because this is oncology!” I hasten to calm down; “No, not oncology, but a very common benign tumor of the uterus.

Mysterious uterine nodes

Literally, the word "myoma" is translated as "a tumor from the muscle." It is a benign tumor of the body of the uterus and refers to hormone-dependent formations.

Another symptom of the disease is paroxysmal, including during menstruation. They arise due to the fact that the ligaments of the enlarged uterus are stretched. Pain can also be associated with torsion of the node, which is distinguished by its peculiarity - “on the leg”, tumor growth, and inflammatory processes that have joined.

Increasing in size, the uterus puts pressure on neighboring organs - the bladder, rectum, in connection with which new problems may arise:, partial, violation of its outflow with the subsequent development of kidney diseases,. With pressure on the lower spine, severe pain is not excluded, as in an acute attack of sciatica.

But, perhaps, the most unpleasant manifestations of fibroids are complications during pregnancy, including not bearing a child.

Are there any age-related features of the course of a benign tumor of the uterus? Yes, I have. The disease is not observed in girls before the onset of menstruation. As for young women under the age of 30, the number of cases increases exponentially from year to year.

However, the most frequent age detection of uterine fibroids - 33-35 years. In half of these patients, there is a rapid growth of nodes, as a rule, against the background of overweight, diseases of the liver, intestines, prolonged inflammatory processes of the female organs, heavy and painful menstruation ...

For the development of fibroids (tumors) of the uterus, age and premenopause are dangerous, that is, approximately 5 years before menopause. At this time, there is a gradual cessation of the hormonal function of the ovaries and a new wave of hormonal metabolism disorders occurs, which sometimes leads to severe uterine bleeding, growth of nodes, chronic anemia, and severe menopausal syndrome.

And only with the onset of persistent menopause, when the ovaries finally calm down, the size of the fibroids decreases. If the fibroid does not get smaller in the first two years total absence menstruation, it requires special monitoring so as not to miss the degeneration into the oncological process.

How is a uterine tumor diagnosed? With an uncomplicated course and a typical location of the nodes, the diagnosis is not difficult. The gynecologist will ask what worries you, whether there were childbirth, abortions, operations, inflammations, infections of the genital organs, how menstruation proceeds ...

Then the doctor examines the mammary glands, cervix, uterus, ovaries, takes a smear for infections, an oncocytological smear. Prescribe a pelvic ultrasound.

In a complicated course - an atypical location of the nodes, a combination of uterine fibroids with other diseases of the genital organs, an in-depth examination is recommended to establish a diagnosis. Firstly, it is a 3D-4D ultrasound, which allows you to get additional information about the presence and location of the tumor.

Secondly, echohysterography, when, during anesthesia, a sterile solution is introduced into the uterine cavity to stretch it and the cavity is examined using an ultrasound sensor. Thirdly, CT scan and spiral computed tomography (with the introduction contrast medium), which allows you to accurately determine the condition of the uterus, blood vessels and pelvic bones.

Fourth, magnetic resonance imaging, in which the nodes and their location are determined with high accuracy. Fifthly, diagnostic laparoscopy is the introduction of a complex optical system into the pelvic cavity under anesthesia, which allows you to directly assess the condition, number and location of the nodes directly with the “eye”.

Treatment of uterine fibroids is very individual and depends on which tumor is located where, whether it worsens the quality of life. If the uterine tumor proceeds according to an uncomplicated scenario (and this happens in half of the patients), only regular monitoring is required: twice a year, an examination by a gynecologist and once a year - an ultrasound of the small pelvis.

In addition, some restrictions must be observed. Under the ban are thermal and physiotherapy, therapeutic mud on the lower abdomen and lower back, massage of the lumbosacral spine, excessive exposure to the sun. All this can provoke the growth of nodes.

Another thing is if the patient complains of severe uterine bleeding, anemia, pain in the lower abdomen, lower back. Here, serious treatment, whether medical or surgical, is indispensable.

The sole purpose of drug treatment is to relieve the symptoms associated with uterine fibroids, as well as reduce the size of the nodes. The most commonly used hormonal drugs are lyucrin depot, zoladex, diferelin, buserelin-depot that suppress the production of hormones in the brain, as a result of which the body enters a state of menopause (menopause).

At the same time, bleeding stops and the size of the nodes decreases. Due to the many complex side effects, such treatment can be continued under the strict supervision of a doctor for no more than 6 months.

For tumors of benign etiology of small size, combined contraceptive hormonal preparations are effective - janine, silhouette, bonade. They're filming pain, reduce blood loss, stop the growth of nodes. Assigned individually.

From new means I will recommend the drug esmya. The ulipristap acetate, which is part of it, has a direct effect on the myomatous nodes, the endometrium, and also the brain. With daily intake of the drug at a dosage of 5 mg during the menstrual cycle in women, the next menstrual bleeding ends, and the next does not occur.

When the drug ends, the menstrual cycle is restored within 4 weeks. During this time, anemia disappears, the size of the nodes is significantly reduced, and, consequently, the size of the uterus itself.

Can be used to relieve pain indomethacin, ibuprofen, meloxicam, celecoxib- 1 tablet 1-2 times a day (contraindicated in case of bronchial asthma, ulcerative lesions of the stomach and intestines). Tranexam and dicynone in tablets or ampoules for intramuscular injection will help reduce bleeding.

A new direction in the treatment of uterine tumors without surgery is FUS ablation of fibroids. The principle is to pulse heating the node with an ultrasonic beam. An increase in temperature in the node leads to the gradual disintegration of the cells of the nodes.

And, of course, the main method of treating uterine fibroids is still surgical. Most radical operation — hysterectomy, in which the uterus is removed completely along with the tumor. Of course, both pain and bleeding immediately disappear. But at the same time, a woman completely loses her ability to bear children, which not all patients agree to.

More gentle operation myomectomy. Here only the node is removed, and the body of the uterus remains. Its disadvantages: it is not possible with all types of fibroids, moreover, it does not give a complete guarantee that after some time a new node will not appear in the body of the uterus.

With a benign tumor of the uterus, traditional medicine can also partially help. But only when combined with traditional means of treatment.

Mother Nature has a whole list of medicinal plants that will help pacify pain, relieve inflammation, reduce bleeding, slow down tumor growth, increase immunity ... Among them are yarrow, motherwort, celandine, plantain and the so-called female herbs - nettle, calendula, wild strawberry , milk thistle, chamomile ... Here are some recipes.

Take 1 tbsp. teaspoon dry crushed leaves stinging nettle, pour 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 1 hour. Take as a hemostatic agent a quarter cup 3 times a day. The course is 2-3 weeks.

For a long time, it has been used in the fight against tumors - a folk healer that does not hide from human eyes, but grows in plain sight - in gardens, front gardens, near the house ... The plant is poisonous, so it requires caution, but the recipe for making tincture from it is simple.

Take a half-liter glass jar, fill it halfway with fresh celandine grass (preferably with yellow flowers), fill it with vodka to the top. Insist in a dark place for 10-12 days, then strain the tincture. After draining the dark brown liquid into a dark glass bottle, take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day thirty minutes before meals.

The course is 2 weeks, then take a 10-day break and repeat the course of treatment.

Physiotherapy

Concerning physical activity, it is especially justified in the light of the fact that the dependence of the appearance of a uterine tumor on the background of obesity has been proven. Therefore, sports are not prohibited! Another thing is which physical exercises can be used and which cannot.

To avoid complications, an exercise therapy doctor should be engaged in an individual selection of a set of exercises, taking into account the conclusion of a gynecologist. But here's what I can say for sure - swimming, Nordic walking are safe. And here strength exercises- push-ups, squats, pull-ups on the bar, swinging the press, lifting weights are contraindicated.

• Make an appointment

Benign neoplasms in the uterus or fibroids are diagnosed in 40% of women. It is the most common tumor in the organs of the female reproductive system. Signs of uterine fibroids are not always obvious, and the pathology can progress over the years. A diagnosis is not a sentence; in the treatment of uterine fibroids with modern methods, it is possible to save the organ and restore women's health.

Causes and symptoms of uterine fibroids

The uterus is a hollow organ with a wall consisting of three layers of tissues: the inner epithelium, the smooth muscle myometrium, and the outer perimetry. Myoma is an abnormal growth, the formation of tumor nodes of the myometrium up to several centimeters in size. There are several types of fibroids according to the location of the neoplasm and its shape.

The main causes of pathology - hormonal disorders in the production of sex hormones during the menstrual cycle. Risk factors:

• hormonal disruptions;
• heredity;
• excess weight;
• gynecological operations on the uterus - abortion, caesarean section;
• delayed puberty and late delivery;
• stress;
• wrong hormonal contraceptives.

The main signs of uterine fibroids, according to which pathology can be suspected, include:

• disruptions in menstruation - profuse, prolonged (over 8 days), painful bleeding, with large blood clots;
• abdominal pain radiating to the lower back;
• infertility, miscarriage due to hormonal abnormalities and deformation of the uterus;
• violations of the bladder and intestines with a strong growth of the tumor and squeezing neighboring organs.

There are also no symptoms of uterine fibroids. In this case, the pathology is detected with gynecological ultrasound.

How to treat uterine fibroids

To make a diagnosis, in addition to consulting a gynecologist, they carry out:

• hysteroscopy;
• biopsy of tumor tissue;
• laboratory tests for hormones, microflora, infections.

The gynecologist decides how to treat uterine fibroids, taking into account the number and size of formations, the severity of complaints. On the initial stages wait-and-see tactics can be applied. Therapy is carried out:

• conservative methods - hormonal drugs that slow down the process and help restore reproductive function;
• surgical operations - hysteroresectoscopy, laparoscopy, arterial embolization or complete removal of the organ.

Treatment of uterine fibroids is ineffective and even dangerous folk methods. We need a competent gynecologist who will treat and observe the further dynamics of changes. Relapses are possible, especially at menopause. The best prevention of fibroids is annual examinations by a gynecologist with an ultrasound examination.