Fibroid cysts are noncancerous tumors that are most commonly found in the uterus. They are slow-growing and often do not cause symptoms. Risk factors include being of African descent and having a family history of fibroids. Treatment is only necessary if symptoms are present and can include surgery, medication, ultrasound treatment, or an injection of polyvinyl alcohol beads.
A fibroid cyst is a common, noncancerous type of tumor that is most often found in the uterus. Most cases are slow growing and do not cause any symptoms, and only a small percentage of cases will require medical attention. Fibroid tumors are classified based on where they grow in the uterus. Some studies suggest that up to 75% of women will develop fibroid cysts in their lifetime.
Although the term “fibroma cyst” is often used, they are not technically cysts. A cyst contains air, fluid, or a semi-solid material, while fibroid cysts are made up of fibrous material, which makes them tumors. As a result, they are also called “fibroma tumors”, “fibrolides”, “myomas” or simply “fibromas”. Ranging in size from about 0.04 inches (1 mm) to about 8 inches (20 cm) or more, a fibroid tumor can grow as a lump or in a cluster.
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The cause of fibroids hasn’t been determined yet, but it appears to be related to the production of estrogen in a woman’s body. These tumors appear to only develop during the reproductive years, and existing fibroids may even begin to shrink after menopause. They can grow rapidly during pregnancy as estrogen production and blood flow to the uterus increase, but usually cause no complications.
Risk factors
Fibroid tumors are quite common among women of reproductive age, especially those in their 30s and 40s. Many cases go undetected when there are no symptoms and are not always detected on an ultrasound. In addition to being more at risk during their reproductive years, women whose mothers or sisters had fibroids and women of African descent are generally more at risk for the condition.
Symptoms
Most women who have fibroid tumors have no symptoms. In women who have symptoms, some more common ones include pain, excessive bleeding during menstrual cycles, constipation or bloating, and changes in urinary frequency. Infertility is not a common result of fibroids, but they do represent a small percentage of infertility cases. Where the cyst is located can affect the symptoms a woman experiences.
Types of fibroid cysts
There are three types of fibroid cancers, determined by where the fibroid grows in the uterus:
Intramural fibroids, which grow in the uterine wall, are the most common type. They can cause the uterus to swell and sometimes bulge into or out of the uterus. Submucous fibroids, also called submucosal fibroids, are usually the most likely to cause noticeable symptoms. These fibroids are found within the lining of the uterus and can extend into the uterus itself. As a result, submucosal fibroids can cause heavy bleeding during menstruation. Subserous fibroids, also called subserous fibroids, grow outside the uterus. These fibroids often cause the fewest symptoms, but they can get very large. Some subserous fibroids grow so large that a woman can look pregnant for up to six months.
Treatment
Usually, a fibroid cyst does not require treatment unless a woman has symptoms. In the past, hysterectomies were a common practice to treat fibroid tumors, but alternative treatments have since been developed. These newer treatments include surgery to remove the tumor, medications to control symptoms, ultrasound treatments to destroy fibrous tissue, or an injection of polyvinyl alcohol beads to block blood flow to the fibroids.
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