Are anterior uterine fibroids serious?

To put it simply, forearm uterine fibroids are fibroids that grow on the front wall of the uterus. Most uterine fibroids are benign. If you have uterine fibroids and have serious clinical symptoms, you must seek timely treatment and have the uterine fibroids removed surgically as soon as possible to avoid a great impact on your daily life and work. However, you don’t have to worry too much. You must keep warm and have regular check-ups.

Do anterior uterine fibroids grow fast?

The general diagnostic test for uterine fibroids is mainly B-ultrasound. Relatively speaking, B-ultrasound is a non-destructive examination for patients and is safe and reliable. Through B-ultrasound examination, we can further observe the specific location of uterine fibroids under direct vision, such as fibroids in the front of the uterus, fibroids on the posterior wall of the uterus, and fibroids at the fundus of the uterus. These can further confirm the location of the lesion, which has great guiding significance for clinical treatment, especially surgical treatment.

The symptoms of uterine fibroids have a certain relationship with the histological anatomical classification of uterine fibroids. In terms of histological anatomy, uterine fibroids are divided into three types according to the different levels of occurrence of the fibroids. From the inside to the outside, there are submucosal fibroids, intramural fibroids, and subserosal fibroids. Generally speaking, submucosal fibroids will protrude into the uterine cavity, while subserosal fibroids will protrude into the abdominal cavity. This growth pattern determines that its clinical symptoms are different, and the surgical treatment methods chosen are also very different.

The severity of clinical symptoms of different types of uterine fibroids varies. For example, submucosal fibroids will mostly cause a significant increase in menstrual volume, and severe cases will lead to anemia; while subserosal fibroids will not have such symptoms. Therefore, the symptoms of different types are different. However, whether it grows on the front or back wall of the uterus has little impact on its clinical symptoms. In other words, the severity of uterine fibroids has no direct connection with whether it grows on the front or back wall.

Uterine fibroids are sex hormone-dependent tumors that are more common in middle-aged women. As the estrogen level in women decreases after menopause, fibroids will naturally shrink and become smaller, with a few even disappearing. They have a low rate of malignancy and grow slowly. Asymptomatic fibroids have no effect on menstruation, fertility or health, so these patients do not need treatment. Surgery should be considered only in the following situations:

1. The size of the uterine fibroids is large, the uterus exceeds the size of 10 weeks of pregnancy, or the diameter of a single fibroid is >6cm.

2. Although the size of uterine fibroids is not large, symptoms may occur, such as increased menstrual flow, anemia, frequent urination, constipation or difficulty in defecation.

3. Uterine fibroids affect fertility.

4. Uterine fibroids grow rapidly and the possibility of malignant transformation cannot be ruled out.

5. Uterine fibroids cannot be distinguished from ovarian tumors.

6. Patients whose uterine fibroids do not shrink but increase in size after menopause, or patients with newly discovered uterine fibroids (patients who have not been given estrogen replacement therapy).

Uterine fibroids symptoms

1. Irregular menstruation

Irregular menstruation with increased menstrual flow and prolonged menstrual period is the most common symptom of uterine fibroids. It is more common in large intramural fibroids and submucosal fibroids. Fibroids enlarge the uterine cavity, increase the area of ​​the endometrium and affect uterine contraction. In addition, fibroids may compress the veins near the tumor, causing congestion and dilation of the endometrial venous plexus, thereby causing increased menstrual flow and prolonged menstruation. When submucosal fibroids are accompanied by necrosis and infection, there may be irregular vaginal bleeding or bloody purulent discharge. Long-term excessive menstrual flow may lead to anemia, fatigue, palpitations and other symptoms.

2. Lower abdominal mass

When the fibroids are small, no lump can be felt in the abdomen. However, when the fibroids gradually increase in size and the uterus exceeds the size of a 3-month pregnancy, they can be felt from the abdomen. Giant submucosal fibroids can prolapse outside the vagina, and patients may seek medical attention due to prolapse of the vulva.

3. Increased leucorrhea

Intramural fibroids increase the area of ​​the uterine cavity, increase the secretion of endometrial glands, and are accompanied by pelvic congestion, which leads to increased leucorrhea. Once submucosal uterine fibroids are infected, there may be a large amount of pus-like leucorrhea. If there is ulceration, necrosis, or bleeding, there may be bloody or purulent vaginal discharge with a foul odor.

4. Compression symptoms

Fibroids in the lower segment of the anterior wall of the uterus can compress the bladder and cause frequent and urgent urination; cervical fibroids can cause difficulty urinating and urinary retention; fibroids on the posterior wall of the uterus (isthmus or posterior wall) can cause symptoms such as lower abdominal distension and discomfort and constipation. Broad ligament myomas or giant cervical myomas develop laterally, embed into the pelvic cavity, compress the ureter, and cause obstruction of the upper urinary tract, resulting in ureteral dilatation and even hydronephrosis.

5. Other symptoms

Including lower abdominal distension, back pain, and aggravated menstrual symptoms. When the fibroids turn red, there will be acute lower abdominal pain, accompanied by vomiting, fever and local tenderness of the tumor; torsion of the pedicle of subserosal fibroids may cause acute abdominal pain; and abdominal pain may also be caused when submucosal fibroids are discharged from the uterine cavity. Submucosal and intramural fibroids that cause deformation of the uterine cavity can cause infertility or miscarriage.