Hysterectomy Fibroids – Removal of Non-Cancerous Uterine Growths

Hysterectomy fibroids, that is to say non-cancerous growths that appear in or on the uterus, are the most often diagnosed of the pelvic tumors.

Though about 20 percent of women will develop a fibroid of the uterus at some point between the onset of menstruation and menopause, the diagnosis is still scary. The period between a doctor finding the tumor and determining whether it is cancerous can seem like an eternity.

These lumps develop in the wall of the uterus and are formed from muscle cells and connective tissue. The mounds can vary greatly in size, spanning from one millimeter to eight inches. While fibroids develop in the uterus wall, they may also extend toward the outer surface of the uterus or grow into the cavity. The pedunculated variety grow from the outer surface of the organ and hang from a long stalk-like growth.

Like so many abnormalities within the human body, the cause of these growths is yet to be determined. Fortunately, they do not develop into cancerous tumors and can usually be treated effectively.

While fibroids continue to be the primary reason for hysterectomies, hysterectomy fibroids are becoming less and less frequently used. There are other less invasive treatments. Still, somewhere near 350,000 of these procedures are performed in the United States each year.

It is important that women confronted with fibroids get as much information as they can from as many sources as possible before making a decision on what treatment or treatments to pursue.

If a woman’s doctor recommends highly invasive surgery it may be because that is the remedy he is most experienced with and feels most comfortable recommending. However, there have been many advances in treatment recently that may prove to be a better option in many cases.

These growths are not cancerous and there is usually enough time for extensive research before a woman has to make a decision.