Also called myomas or leiomyomas, uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that occur during childbearing years. In the uterus, there can be a single fibroid or multiple fibroids. Multiple fibroids, at their extreme, can cause a significant increase in weight and expand the uterus, pushing it against the rib cage. Depending on the size, location, and number of fibroids, uterine fibroid show symptoms (symptomatic uterine fibroids) or not (asymptomatic uterine fibroids). Symptoms include pelvic pain or pressure, constipation, frequent urination, backache or leg pains, longer menstrual periods, and difficulty emptying the bladder.
Often, uterine fibroids are detected incidentally during routine pelvic examinations. If a patient report symptoms to their doctor, however, the doctor may order an ultrasound imaging of the uterus. If ultrasound doesn't provide adequate information, other imaging such as MRI, hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingography, and hysterosonography may be done. The doctor may also order for blood tests if the patient report abnormal menstrual bleeding.
Certain symptoms of uterine fibroids - like pelvic pressure and heavy menstrual bleeding - can be controlled with medications. These medications may only shrink fibroids; they don't eliminate them. A non-invasive surgical procedure for symptomatic uterine fibroids is MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (FUS). Done on an outpatient basis, the surgery is performed while the patient is in an MRI scanner, and it involves finding the precise location of the fibroids and destroying the fibroids with soundwaves from an ultrasound transducer that heat small areas of fibroid tissue. The procedure requires no incision.
