Large fibroids (and symptomless ones)

[Guest guest]

Another book quote:

'The Treatment of Fibroids' by Melbourne Fibroid Clinic (2000)

Chapter 4 by Dr Raphael Kuhn

'Fibroids are very common. Cancerous fibroids

(leiomysarcomas) are very rare. It is no longer believed that

fibroids become cancerous. Nevertheless, the benign

(non-cancerous) nature of rapidly growing fibroids needs to be

confirmed. This can often be done by ultrasound guided needle

biopsy, but it may be neccesary to remove the fibroid to make

completely sure of what is going on.

In the past it was common to advise a hysterectomy if the uterine

size exceeded that of a 12 week pregnancy, and no further

children were desired, because examination alone was

unreliable in accurately assessing rapid changes in uterine size,

which may be confused with changes in ovarian size. Imaging

techniques, especially ultrasound, make it possible to see the

uterus, ovaries, fibroids and any cyst or growth on the ovaries

clearly, and to measure them. There is therefore no longer a

justification for the removal of the enlarged uterus unless

significant pathology is suspected.

In some circumstances it may be considered prudent to remove

a fibroid even if it is not causing any symptoms, e.g. a sympom

free 7cm fibroid may be dealt with laparoscopically now, whilst

in a few year's time if i doubles in size and causes symptoms it

is more likely to be removal by long incision (laparotomy), and

the complications associated with a longer incision are greater'

'Rarely, removal or treatment of fibroids may lead t complications

that necessitate hysterectomy. This must be taken into

consideration if you are trying to bcome pregnant, or want to

become pregnant in the future.'

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(I had a laparotomy. I guess both approaches have their pros

and cons - Aztek)