Uterine Fibroids from Diagnosis to Treatment (eBook)

Uterine fibroids (UFs) are benign masses that develop from the smooth muscle cells and connective tissue of the wall of the uterus under the influence of genetic and / or hormonal stimuli. These benign tumors are postulated to arise from a single, genetically altered, mesenchymal cell under the influence of gonadal hormones namely progesterone and 17Β-estradiol. The annual societal cost for fibroids is estimated up to 34 billion dollars, calculated through combined expenditures for medical management of symptomatic fibroids, lost work attributable to diagnosis of fibroids, and obstetrical complications of fibroids in Italy, for example, they afflict 3 million women. Estimates say that 20 to 80% of women experience them throughout life, and are the most common form of benign cancer in childbearing age. Various surgical and medical options are currently available to manage symptomatic uterine fibroids. The choice of the appropriate therapeutic approach for UFs depends on several factors, including women's age, parity, childbearing aspirations and wish to preserve fertility, extent and severity of symptoms, size, number and location of myomas, risk of malignancy and proximity to menopause. This book reviews the diagnoses, management and treatment of uterine fibroids.