Category: Embolization

Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumours. They occur in the uterus (womb). The womb is a hollow, pear shaped muscle.

Women worldwide have been faced with the unexpected news that they have fibroids. Most women have never heard of them prior to their diagnosis. For a woman the idea of a tumour occupying their womb is frightening especially in the absence of information about this benign problem. Some women feel a mixture of emotions, they are sometimes scared, sometimes embarrassed to discuss it with friends & family. Unfortunately the lack of information leads women to accept a hysterectomy (removal of the womb) for this treatable condition.

For reasons that are currently being researched, a single muscle cell in the uterus may begin to grow & multiply rapidly. The resulting tumour is called a fibroid. (The word ‘tumour’ often evokes fear because it is commonly associated with cancer, but ‘tumour’ in medical terminology simply means “new growth” or overgrowth of cells). The medical term for them is Leiomyomata (Leio= smooth myo=muscle). They are also called uterine myomas, fibromyomas or leiomyomas. Their size can vary. Some are microscopic or the same size as a pea and some can be as big as a melon. Fibroids can increase in size, decrease in size or even go away with time. They can occur anywhere in the womb and are named according to where they grow: Continue reading