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Uterine Fibroids
- Days In Hospital 3 days
- Outside Hospital Stay 5 days
- Success Rate 85%
Minimum Cost
$ 1500
Maximum Cost.
$ 4000
Overview of Uterine Fibroids in India
In the female body, uterine fibroids (also known as leiomyomas) are benign tumours made up of uterine cell tissue. They are mainly found in women who have not yet reached menopause. Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) do not put a woman at an increased risk of developing uterine cancer and seldom become cancerous. Depending on the number, size and location, a woman may have one or more fibroids that can result in an increase in the size of her uterus. In some cases, when fibroids become very large, they can push on the rib cage, resulting in other complications. Fibroids in the early stages often do not produce symptoms; therefore, detecting fibroids at an early stage may be difficult.
Many women will identify uterine fibroids during their pelvic examination for many other reasons. The symptoms of uterine fibroids that cause problems for a woman are dependent on the size and location of her fibroid(s) within her body. There are three categories of fibroids based on their location in the uterus. Intramural fibroids are located inside the muscular wall; submucosal fibroids protrude into the uterine cavity; subserosal fibroids are located on the outer side of the wall. While uterine fibroids are not considered dangerous to women, they do pose a risk due to their associated complications, such as pain and/or heavy bleeding, leading to potential anemia. Therefore, uterine fibroid treatment may include medical and/or surgical intervention.
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids, or leiomyomas, are lumps of muscle and tissue that show up in or on the wall of your uterus. They’re almost always benign—not cancer—and they’re actually the most common type of noncancerous tumor in women.
Fibroids can cause all sorts of problems, like pain or heavy, unpredictable bleeding. But not everyone feels them. Some people have fibroids and don’t even know it. The way doctors treat fibroids usually comes down to what symptoms you have.
Where Do Fibroids Grow?
Fibroids can develop in a cluster or as a solitary nodule. Fibroid clusters can be as little as one millimetre or as big as more than twenty centimetres (8 inches) in diameter. In contrast, fibroids can grow as big as a watermelon or as tiny as a seed. These growths may form on the outside of your uterus, inside the main cavity, or within the wall of your uterus.
Types of Uterine Fibroids:
Uterine fibroids come in four primary categories:
Intramural Fibroids
The intramural type is the most commonly occurring fibroid in the uterus. Intramural fibroids form inside the smooth muscle layer of the uterus just below the tissue that lines the inside (endometrium). Intramural fibroid tumors can sometimes enlarge to a point that they will distort the shape of the uterus. Sometimes they will be massive enough that they can actually pull the uterus away from the bladder or rectum, which can result in difficulty voiding urine or stool due to pressure on the bladder (urinary incontinence) or rectum (rectal incontinence).
Submucosal Fibroids
Submucosal fibroid tumors are the least commonly occurring fibroid type. Submucosal fibroids are formed by growing inside the smooth muscle layer of the uterus (myometrium). It has been shown that submucosal tumors are associated with obstructed fallopian tubes leading to infertility, and if they develop during pregnancy can lead to complications of fetal death (miscarriage) and/or fetal malformations (congenital defects).
Subserosal Fibroid
Subserosal fibroids represent the most common area of development within the uterine serosa (outward layer) of the uterus. When extensive, this type of fibroid may lead to an asymmetrical appearance of an enlarged uterus along the fibroid's area of attachment. Growing outside the uterus, these types of fibroids typically do not affect the female reproductive organs but may apply pressure on adjacent structures (i.e., bladder/bowel).
Pedunculated Fibroid
Pedunculated uterine fibroids develop on a pedicle or stalk that extends either internally from the uterus wall or externally via stalk attachment to other structures. Pedunculated fibroids may lead to severe pain if the stalk rotates and kinks, blocking reperfusion to the fibroid and subsequent ischemic tissue damage.
Procedure:
Watchful Waiting
If the fibroids are small and not causing any symptoms, a wait-and-see approach may be taken until the time of the next appointment. During this period, the size of the fibroid will be measured at each visit, and the extent of involvement of any surrounding structures will also be evaluated at the same time.
Medications
There are also certain medication types used for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Some common types of medications are:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications are effective for treating pain associated with uterine fibroids and relieving menstrual cramping.
- Hormonal birth control. The use of oral contraceptives, hormonal patches or intrauterine devices can help control heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists. These medications induce a temporary state of menopause-like changes to the uterus and cause the fibroids to decrease in size, along with improving symptoms associated with uterine fibroids.
Uterine Embolisation for Fibroids
A technique whereby the blood flow to the fibroid has been cut off. The decrease in blood flow leads to the size of the fibroids. These types of symptoms are generally treated through Uterine Embolisation.
Surgical Removal of Fibroids (Myomectomy)
A procedure that involves surgically removing fibroids from the uterus. This procedure is recommended for women who desire to have children.
Removal of Uterus (Hysterectomy)
The removal of the uterus is a permanent solution for treating uterine fibroids. A hysterectomy is not indicated for women who have not completed family planning or in instances where the uterus has grown too large, resulting in major complications.
Ultrasound Surgery
Uses sound waves to destroy uterine fibroids. This procedure helps to reduce the symptoms associated with uterine fibroids but is not appropriate for all women.
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Cost of Uterine Fibroids in India
Treatment for uterine fibroids might cost anywhere between $1000 and $3000 in India. The type of treatment technique carried out, the hospital's capabilities, and any difficulties that arise during or after the surgical procedure can all affect the cost.
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Indications of Uterine Fibroids:
While most small fibroids do not present with any symptoms and just need to be monitored by your doctor, large fibroids may bring about numerous signs and symptoms, such as:
- Menstrual Bleeding (Heavy bleeding or painful bleeding)
- Bleeding in between periods
- Distension from fullness in the Lower Abdomen.
- Frequent need to urinate (if there is pressure from the fibroids on the bladder)
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Back Pain
- Pressure in the Rectal Area, Constipation, Or Both
- Chronic Vaginal Discharge
- An inability to Urinate or Completely Empty the Bladder
- Increased Abdominal Size (Enlargement) Causing the Abdomen to Appear Pregnant
After Menopause, due to a drop in Hormones, many women report that the fibroid-associated symptoms appear to stabilise or completely resolve.
Risk Factors:
Age is the most common age group for women to develop Fibroids. Women typically develop Fibroids between 30 and 45 years of age. After menopause, women have a lower chance of developing Fibroids.
Hormonal Factors - if estrogen levels and progesterone levels are higher than usual, there may be a greater chance of Fibroid development. This is true for women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and women who are pregnant.
Ethnic Background - Women of African descent develop Fibroids at a higher rate than women of other ethnicities, and they usually experience more severe symptoms due to the Fibroids.
Obesity - Women who are overweight or obese frequently have an increased chance of having Fibroids. Being overweight can result in a hormonal imbalance, which makes women more susceptible to developing Fibroids.
Nulliparity - Women who have never had a child are at an increased risk for developing Fibroids. Having a baby has a protective effect against developing Fibroids.
Hypertension - There is a positive correlation between having high blood pressure and developing Fibroids within the uterus.
Lifestyle - A sedentary lifestyle with no exercise, a diet high in red meat and low in fruits and vegetables, and an excessive consumption of alcohol increase the chances of developing Fibroids.
Potential Complications of Uterine Fibroids
Although fibroids are benign and usually cause few symptoms, they may cause significant complications in certain situations, especially when left untreated.
Serious Anemia
- This can be due to heavy menstrual bleeding over an extended period.
- Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, and pale skin.
- In severe cases, a blood transfusion may be needed.
Infertility and Pregnancy Complications
- Sub-mucosal fibroids may change the shape of the uterine cavity and make it difficult for the embryo to implant after conception.
- Large fibroids can block the fallopian tubes, impeding the passage of sperm to reach the egg for fertilization.
- During pregnancy, a woman may be at increased risk of experiencing:
- Miscarriage
- Preterm labour
- Cesarean births
- Abnormal fetal presentation
- Premature separation of the placenta from the uterus
Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction
Due to pressure on the bladder or bowel, it is possible to develop urinary urgency, urinary retention, constipation and/or difficulties with bowel movement, respectively.
Fibroid Degeneration
As a fibroid's blood supply diminishes, the fibroid may shrink and die away, causing severe pain and fever.
Rare Complication – Cancer
Cancer is a rare complication of fibroids, affecting less than 1% of people with fibroids.
A fibroid can develop into a malignant tumor called leiomyosarcoma. The cancer developing from existing fibroids is believed to be caused by something other than the fibroid itself, so routine follow-up is essential.