Fibroids are at the head of the benign tumours most frequently seen in women. The fibroid, which arises from the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus, is generally seen between the ages of 35 and 45.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taner Usta, specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, not only shed light on the subject of treating fibroids with the freezing procedure but also gave highly useful information.
The formation of a fibroid in the uterus does not generally constitute an obstacle to pregnancy if the fibroid is not pressing on the inner layer of the uterus. Because of the hormonal changes experienced in pregnancy, an increase in the size of the fibroid may also occur. However, afterwards situations such as shrinking, growing or staying the same may be experienced, and how it will be generally cannot be predicted in advance.
Fibroids depend on the oestrogen hormone and for this reason their frequency during the menopause is quite low. In addition, in people in whom the formation of a fibroid was observed earlier, a regression of the fibroids may occur together with the menopause. Fibroids are distinguished from one another according to the places where they settle.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FIBROIDS?
Just as fibroids can generally appear without giving any symptom, they can also cause complaints such as pain, severe abnormal vaginal bleeding and being unable to become pregnant. For this reason they can generally be detected at routine examinations. In situations in which they do give symptoms, the symptoms of fibroids can easily be confused with other conditions.
The appearance of the symptoms of fibroids indicates that these formations have grown considerably or points to the place where they have developed. An increase in menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods, swelling in the abdominal area, pelvic pain, frequent urination and in some cases constipation can be seen as symptoms.
Today, with imaging methods, fibroids can be detected very easily. With methods such as ultrasound, the diagnosis of a fibroid can be made definitively. In some cases, especially to distinguish them from malignant fibroids, or if there are a large number of fibroids, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can be used to reveal their exact situation.
TREATMENT METHODS
The sizes of fibroids and the places where they settle require different treatment methods. When fibroids are detected, it is not necessarily required that they be removed with a surgical procedure. For a patient who has a significant number of fibroids, if there is in particular no clinical complaint and no special feature in their appearance, it is sufficient simply to follow them up.
With medicines known as GnRH analogues (medicines that create a temporary menopause), the sizes of fibroids can be reduced. They can be used in very large fibroids, especially if the patient also has severe vaginal bleeding and anaemia. This method is preferred before surgical procedures, and before the operation the size of the fibroid is reduced.
Fibroids that give rise to complaints or that grow rapidly are removed with surgical methods. With the technology that has developed in recent years, burning or freezing the fibroid is also possible. The cores of the fibroids can be burned with a laser or frozen with liquid nitrogen. In this way no surgical procedure of any kind is needed in the treatment of the fibroid.
In addition, the conditions that arise can also be eliminated with these methods. With these methods, which are accepted as new generation, it can be done without opening any incision in the body. The most criticisable aspect of these treatments is that the fibroid may grow again and the clinical complaints may recur.
CAN FIBROIDS BE TREATED WITH A PILL?
Yes, especially to reduce the effects of fibroids, in recent years medicines that can be used in pill form and act specifically on fibroids were made available to patients both in America and in Europe. These medicines are not yet available in our country.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD WOMEN WITH A FIBROID GO TO THEIR DOCTOR FOR A CHECK-UP?
If there is no significant exceptional situation, our women who have a fibroid should have a regular check-up without exceeding 6 to 12 months.