Subserous uterine myoma
Content:
- Symptoms of subserous uterine fibroids
- Causes of subserous uterine fibroids
- Treatment of subserous uterine fibroids
Subserous uterine myoma is a benign hormone-dependent tumor, the localization of which is the muscular layer of the uterus. Its difference lies in the fact that it grows towards the pelvic cavity and develops on the outside of the uterus.
Most often, subserous myoma is represented by a node with a wide base, sometimes located on a thin stem. It is through this leg that it is fed. Sometimes there is a single node, and sometimes multiple nodes. The size of the formations also varies. Most often they are small - their size does not exceed a few millimeters, but in rare cases the node can reach 10 cm.
This type of fibroid mainly affects women who are capable of reproduction. Their progression is slow and asymptomatic, the danger is the torsion of the myoma pedicle.
Symptoms of subserous uterine fibroids
If a woman is diagnosed with only one subserous node, then this indicates the initial stage of the development of the disease. Most often, several nodes located in the abdominal cavity are diagnosed. The most dangerous form of this type of fibroid is the one that grows into the uterine cavity and deforms its shape.
As for the symptoms, the clinical picture is rather scanty, among the possible manifestations:
- Painful sensations that rarely occur, their intensity is weak, radiating to the back. Pain increases with increasing physical activity, which is typical for a node with a wide base.
- Severe pain, increased sweating, weakness, loss of consciousness occur when the leg of the node is twisted and myoma necrosis begins. This situation is life-threatening for a woman and requires prompt surgical intervention.
- If the node is large, then symptoms such as urinary disorders or constipation may appear. This is due to the pressure of the tumor on nearby organs. A large education can provoke a bend of the uterus and the inability to conceive a child.
- When a node grows together with a peritoneum, a woman experiences pain when walking.
- In about 50% of cases, the subserous node provokes heavy periods.
But more often this type of fibroids develops asymptomatically and is diagnosed either by accident or when complications arise.
Causes of subserous uterine fibroids
The main reason for the development of fibroids is considered to be hormonal fluctuations in women.
Doctors say that a tumor does not form in a healthy body, so there are some factors that trigger the onset of this process:
- Multiple and single surgical interventions in the genital area. It can be laparoscopy, non-drug abortions, etc. All this becomes the cause of hypoxic, traumatic and dystrophic damage to the muscular layer of the uterus, which means it can provoke the onset of the disease.
- Previous myomectomy may cause recurrence.
- Tumor processes in the mammary glands and ovaries.
- Infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system.
- Dysfunction of the adrenal cortex and thyroid gland.
- Long-term use of contraceptive hormonal drugs.
- Genetic predisposition.
Treatment of subserous uterine fibroids
In order to get rid of the pathology, you need to seek help from a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination. The doctor can prescribe both conservative and surgical treatment.
With regard to taking medications, in order to try to reduce or eliminate the neoplasm, a woman is prescribed hormonal drugs. However, for this it is necessary that the fibroid is smaller in size than 12 weeks of pregnancy, and not prone to rapid growth and malignancy.
Among the most popular hormonal agents are:
- GnRH agonists such as Zoladex. It suppresses the secretory function of the pituitary gland, which leads to a decrease in the production of sex hormones by the ovaries. This, in turn, stops the growth of fibroids and even contributes to its degeneration. However, these funds must be used with caution, as they have contraindications and side effects.
- Antigonadotropic drugs such as Danazol. These drugs are less effective than GnRH agonists, since they are not able to completely rid a woman's body of a tumor. To a greater extent, drugs in this group are aimed at suppressing the growth of fibroids.
On the subject: List of drugs used for uterine fibroids
In parallel with taking medications, the patient will need to review her diet. Compliance with a diet contributes to the speedy recovery and regeneration of tissues. It is important to eliminate red meat and focus on plant-based foods.
Surgical intervention
If conservative treatment is ineffective, then surgery is indicated for the woman. The nature of the operation and its scope is determined individually and depends on many factors. For young patients of reproductive age, it is advisable to apply myomectomy, which is aimed at removing only the tumor while preserving the uterus. The combination of surgery and hormone therapy helps to minimize the possibility of recurrence of the disease.
In some cases, removal of both fibroids and uterus is indicated at the same time. In this case, the woman loses the opportunity to conceive. In addition, hormone therapy in this case is not needed, since the likelihood of relapse is simply absent.
On the subject: Surgery to remove uterine fibroids - is it needed? Complications and consequences
And if you do not treat? If you refuse treatment and hope that the tumor will disappear on its own, this can lead to serious complications that threaten not only the health, but also the life of the woman. Among them: necrosis of nodular tissues, tumor infection, suppuration and abscess, neoplasm edema, mucous degeneration and atrophy of nodes, endometrial hyperplasia. Moreover, according to statistics, it is subserous nodes that are more susceptible to necrosis, up to 16% of cases of this complication are noted.
Therefore, only a doctor should deal with the treatment of the detected pathology, and the patient must strictly follow his recommendations.
The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.
