Fibroids Flashcards
What are fibroids
Benign tumours arising from the myometrium of the uterus.
Types of fibroids
- Subserosal
- Intramural
- Submucosal
- Pedunculated
What is submucosal fibroid
develop near the outer serosal surface of the uterus and extend into the peritoneal cavity.
symptoms of Subserosal fibroids
Asymptomatic; may cause pressure symptoms.
What is Intramural fibroids
fibroids develop within the myometrium
symptoms of intramural fibroids
May cause HMB, dysmenorrhoea
Symptoms of submucosal fibroids
May cause HMB, pain, and subfertility.
What are submucosal fibroid
develop near the endometrial surface of the uterus and extend into the uterine cavity
What are pedunculate fibroids
attached to the myometrium by a pedicle. May cause torsion
History (symptoms and signs) of Fibroids
- Symptoms depend on the size, number, and location of the fibroids
- Heavy & prolonged bleeding (most common)
- Abdominal swelling, pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort.
- Dyspareunia.
- Pressure symptoms – constipation or urinary symptoms such as
frequency or difficulty in voiding. - Acute, severe abdominal or pelvic pain following torsion of a pedunculated fibroid or ‘red degeneration’.
- Subfertility, miscarriage.
Abdominal examination in case of fibroids
mass arising from the pelvis, smooth/multi-nodular, firm, mobile from side-to-side.
Pelvic examination in case of fibroids
- mass arising out of the pelvis, with an irregular knobbly shape, a firm or hard consistency, and can be moved slightly from side-to- side.
- Any movement of the abdominal mass moves the cervix
Prevalence of fibroids
Prevalence increases progressively from puberty until the menopause.
- 40–60% of women have fibroids by 35 years of age.
- which is increased to 70–80% by 49 years of age.
Do fibroids resolve with age
Usually shrink after menopause as they are promoted and maintained by oestrogen and progestogen.
Prevalence of fibroids is higher in which groups?
- Black women
- Women with early onset of puberty.
- Obese women – probably due to higher oestrogen levels.
Gynecological risks due to fibroids
- HBM – anaemia, affects QOL.
- Compression of ureters by large fibroids - hydronephrosis.
- Torsion of pedunculated fibroid – acute pain.
- Leiomyosarcoma – minimal risk.
- Fertility issues
Pregnancy complications due to fibroids
- 1st and 2nd trimester miscarriage.
- Higher rates of CS
- Preterm delivery.
- Malpresentation, mechanical complications in labour.
- PPH.
- Acute pain requiring hospital admission (5–6%) – red degeneration of
fibroid owing to avascular necrosis (when rapid growth of a fibroid, promoted by high levels of sex hormones, outgrows its blood supply).
DD of fibroids
- Adenomyosis: difficult to distinguish from fibroids may be associated with it
- Pregnancy
- Benign causes of a pelvic mass: benign ovarian mass –
hemorrhagic cyst, dermoid cyst, or endometrioma. - Malignant causes of a pelvic mass: ovarian cancer,
endometrial cancer, leiomyosarcoma
Investigations for diagnosis of Fibroids
- USS
- Saline or contrast sonographyL improves assessment of SM fibroids
- 3D USS
- MRI: superior to conventional US
when to refer asymptomatic fibroids to 2ry care
- Fibroids are palpable abdominally.
- Intra-cavity fibroids.
- Uterine length on USS>12 cm.
Do we advise hysterectomy for asymptomatic fibroids
Do not advise hysterectomy for asymptomatic fibroids solely to improve detection of adnexal masses, to prevent impairment of renal function, or to rule out malignancy
Medical management of symptomatic fibroids
- NSAIDs
- Contraceptive steroids (COCs)
- LNG-IUS
- Anti-Progesterone agents (mifepristone)
- Aromatase Inhibitors
- GNRH agonists
How do fibroids cause HMB ?
- Mass effect causing increased surface area
- Interferes with uterine contractility
- Increased vascularity
- Altered prostaglandin production
FIGO classification for fibroids ?
submucosal
0 submucosal
1- <50% intramural
2 ->50% intra mural
OTHERs
3- contacts endometrium but is intramural
4-intramural
5-subserosal but> 50% intra mural
6- subserosal <50% intramural
7-oendunculated
STEPW
Routes for myomectomy ?
- Hysteroscopic
- Abdominal - Open, Lap, Robotic
- Hysteroscopic for submucosal - 0,1
- Rest - Abdominal route
(fibroids) When is the risk of malignancy higher ? and how to minimize risk of malignancy spreading
Postmenopausal
Premenopausal - if solitary large lesion not responding to GnrH or ulipristal
1 in 2000
Avoid morcellation. If done - use bags for removal
Disadvantage of using Gnrh prior to myomectomy?
Loss of surgical planes
Which is better in ttt of fibroids Total or subtotal hysterectomy?
Total obviates the need for further surgery as it removes the cervix
Subtotal associated with lesser morbidity and faster recovery
So let the patient decide
How do we decide the route of hysterectomy in ttt of fibroids
Abdominal preferred if no prolapse or associated pelvic pathology - adnexal mass, adhesions, endometriosis
Vaginal - preferred in presence of prolapse
In Abdominal - Lap preferred
Overall complication rate of hysterectomy?
4%
Hysterectomy accounts for what portion of genitourinary tract injury ?
75%
1-2% is the rate for all gynaecological procedures combined
Of these, 75% due to hysterectomy
Injury to GI tract during hysterectomy?
0.1-1%
Vaginal cuff dehiscence most common after which procedure?
TLH