Uterine Leiomyomas Research Paper

Fibroids are becoming more and more common in women in the United States. It is estimated that 171 million women in the U.S. were affected by this condition in 2013(6). About 20% to 80% of women develop fibroids by age 50 (6). As many as three out of four women may have uterine fibroids in her lifetime (4). Fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyoma, are benign tumors that can be found in women of childbearing age due to its dependence on estrogen and progesterone (7). They are made of muscle cells and other tissues that can grow around or in the uterus or womb. With fibroids, a single cell divides repeatedly, eventually creating a firm, rubbery mass distinct from nearby tissue (2). Some fibroids even go through growth spurts where they grow and shrink on their by itself. There are women with fibroids who have no symptoms at all. If they do, it may consist of heavy or painful periods, frequent

Uterine leiomyoma also known as uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors in women during childbearing age. The tumors come from smooth muscle cells of the myometrium within the uterus that changes in size and cellular properties during the reproductive years of a woman. The change in size and cellular property with hypertrophy of the smooth muscle cells normally happen during pregnancy and also occur with uterine fibroids. The development of the tumors is dependent upon estrogen and progesterone and interaction with growth factors, cytokines and extracellular matrix components (Taylor, Holthouser,

Endometriosis is a common but often underdiagnosed disease in women during active reproductive years of 25 to 35 years. Endometriosis is an estrogen dependent chronic pelvic disorder that can cause severe pain and adversely affect fertility. Endometriosis is described as the occurrence of endometrial glands and connective tissue called stroma in the extra uterine mucosa located throughout the pelvis (Solnik, 2015). Therefore, as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) accurately diagnoses this disease, this patient population can increase the awareness become educated about endometriosis treatment options.

Another medical researcher also referred to fibroids as abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus. Sometimes, these tumors become quite large and cause severe abdominal pain and heavy periods. In some cases, they cause no pain or symptoms at all.

Although Fibrocystic Disease is common, women don’t know about it until they actually get it. The physicians are not calling this a disease, but rather a condition now.

Uterine fibroids are very common, causing symptoms in about 25 percent of women. Fibroids are benign, or noncancerous, tumors that grow in the walls of the uterus. It's not understood why fibroids develop, but scientists and doctors believe that genetics may play a role.

The term fibrocystic breast disease is used to describe the benign condition that may have caused Ms. Barker's breast mass. Whether a mass is solid or cystic, a benign mass is usually three-dimensional, mobile and smooth. Borders to the mass are not irregular (Sharma, Dave, Sanadya, Sharma & Sharma, 2010). Ms. Barker has lobular hyperplasia. Furthermore, abnormal cells can increase complexity when they grow inside the lobules of the the breast but do not spread or metastasize (McCance & Huether, 2014). This condition is known as lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). Although LCIS is not invasive cancer, it increases the risk of getting invasive breast cancer in either breast (Types of breast cancers, 2016). Often around menses women develop fibrocystic breasts. There are often lumps noted that quickly disappear with menses, however in lobular fibrocystic breast disease lumps are found in the milk producing glands. Breast cysts are common with approximately over 1/3 of the women 35-50 having cysts (Breast lumps, 2016).

Endometriosis affects 10% of reproductive-age women (Yale School of Medicine). It affects nearly 176 million women, ranging from 15-49, all over the world (World Endometriosis, 2011). “Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus (endometrial implant) (Mayo Clinic, 2013)” It most commonly involves your ovaries and the lining of the pelvis, but in extreme cases can spread to other parts of the body. The displaced tissue continues to act like it normally would in the uterus, thickening and breaking down with each menstrual cycle. Since the displaced tissue has nowhere to go, it becomes trapped with no way to get out (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

Endometriosis- This condition is only present in women. It occurs when endometrial tissue (the lining of the uterine which sheds each period), grows on the outside of the uterus and is attached to reproductive or abdominal organs. This compromises normal functioning of the fallopian tubes through blockage. Endometrial cells also occasionally secrete substances that may interfere with sperm and egg interaction therefore preventing fertilization.

Medical treatments may depend on several factors, such as age and general health, the type of fibroids and its severity, whether the woman is pregnant or if the woman in question would like to form a traditional family in the future.

The other type of fibroid called "intramural fibroid" commonly targets the uterus. This fibroid is usually visible at the lining of uterus. Also, when it grows in size, it increases the dimension of uterus and makes it abnormally sized. One can detect it in the gynecologic internal exam. Back pain, heavy bleeding and bad menstrual flow are the common results of this

Endometriosis is described as a painful disorder in which the tissues that line the uterus travel to areas outside of the uterus. The cells in the endometrial tissues become transplanted in areas outside the uterus such as the abdomen, the ovaries, and in the rectovaginal septum and act as normal endometrial tissue. The tissue thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Endometrial tissues that become displaced cannot exit the body and it becomes trapped inside the abdomen. Endometrial tissue can often spread beyond the lower pelvic region into the peritoneum.

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial tissue, normally located inside the uterus, lines the outside. The condition most commonly affects the ovaries and peritoneum, and affects approximately 10% of women in the United States (Barnhart et. el. 2002). The misplaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it would in the usual situation; the tissue thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with the menstrual cycle. Since there is no exit path for the tissue to leave the body, the tissue becomes trapped inside the abdomen, causing severe pain (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

Uterine Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develops in the myometrium layer of the uterus. A single cell divides repeatedly, eventually creating a firm, rubbery mass distinct from nearby tissue (EA, 2013). There are different types of growth patterns to uterine fibroids. Sometimes they are small and in some cases they are extremely large. Woman between the ages of 30-and 40 years old are more at risk of developing uterine fibroids. They develop mostly in the child bearing years of a woman’s life. African American women have a greater risk of developing uterine fibroids at a younger age than any other race. Uterine fibroids are also called leiomyomas or myomas. Uterine Fibroids can develop on the inside or outside of the uterus.

Laparoscopic is very commonly used surgical technique to remove uterine fibroids. Lasers are also used to shrink them. Often, fibroids are removed through the vagina. However, the location and size of them determines whether this is safe or not.