Uterine Leiomyoma: Available Medical Treatments and New Possible Therapeutic Options (original) (raw)

Reproductive Sciences, 2012

Uterine leiomyomas (also called myomata or fibroids) are the most common gynecologic tumors in the United States. The prevalence of leiomyomas is at least 3 to 4 times higher among African American women than in white women. Pathologically, uterine leiomyomas are benign tumors that arise in any part of the uterus under the influence of local growth factors and sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. These common tumors cause significant morbidity for women and they are considered to be the most common indication for hysterectomy in the world; they are also associated with a substantial economic impact on health care systems that amounts to approximately $2.2 billion/year in the United States alone. Uterine myomas cause several reproductive problems such as heavy or abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, infertility, and several obstetrical complications including miscarriage and preterm labor. Surgery has traditionally been the gold standard for the treatment of uterine leiomyomas and has typically consisted of either hysterectomy or myomectomy. In recent years, a few clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy of orally administered medications for the management of leiomyoma-related symptoms. In the present review, we will discuss these promising medical treatments in further detail.

Interventional Uterine-Sparing Therapies for Leiomyomas: A Commentary on Myolysis

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 2020

Uterine leiomyomas (myomas, fibroids) are very common in premenopausal women and frequently are associated with abnormal uterine bleeding, bulk effects, and reproductive issues. In women who wish to retain their uterus and/or to enhance or retain fertility, interventional therapies have been introduced, including radiofrequency, laser (chromo), cryotherapy, and magnetic resonance (MR)−guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU) myolysis. In formulating this commentary, all modalities of myolysis from systematic reviews, randomized controlled clinical trials, and observational studies through December 2018 were reviewed. There are only two treatment modalities available in Canada: the laparoscopic radiofrequency volumetric thermal ablation of fibroids (RFVTA) and MRgHIFU systems. In women who wish to enhance or retain their fertility, the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency and HIFU myolysis have not been clearly established, and these treatments should be offered only after extensive counselling and informed consent. Given the recent concerns regarding the incidence of undiagnosed malignant tumours, the lack of histological confirmation before or after these therapies for symptomatic fibroids mandates a thorough process of informed patient consent before any such interventions.

New concepts in the treatment of uterine leiomyomas

Obstetrics and gynecology, 1998

Uterine leiomyomas are a common clinical occurrence for gynecologists. The current approach to treating these neoplasms is shaped by classic surgical principles and the knowledge that these tumors are responsive to the gonadal steroids estrogen and progesterone. As knowledge of leiomyomas advances through the techniques of molecular biology and molecular genetics, new concepts are developed that go beyond just myomas as steroid-responsive tumors. Understanding the molecular events involved in the transformation of a normal myometrial cell into a neoplastic cell and the subsequent growth of these leiomyoma cells will be important in determining the pathogenesis of these tumors and providing new targets for treatment. Knowing the role of peptide growth factors, including basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta, in the pathogenesis of leiomyoma-related symptoms might lead to new treatments targeting these molecules or their receptors. As the effects of genes,...

Medical Management of Uterine Fibroids

Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports, 2012

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign tumors of the uterus. Though benign, they can affect the quality of life for many women. Compared with the standard surgical treatments, medical therapy is attractive and avoids possible surgery-related complications. No medical therapy currently exists that can induce rapid regression of the myoma and symptoms with minimal side effects without affecting fertility. This review evaluates medical treatments that are currently available for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

The management of uterine leiomyomas

Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstétrique et gynécologie du Canada : JOGC, 2015

The aim of this guideline is to provide clinicians with an understanding of the pathophysiology, prevalence, and clinical significance of myomata and the best evidence available on treatment modalities. The areas of clinical practice considered in formulating this guideline were assessment, medical treatments, conservative treatments of myolysis, selective uterine artery occlusion, and surgical alternatives including myomectomy and hysterectomy. The risk-to-benefit ratio must be examined individually by the woman and her health care provider. Implementation of this guideline should optimize the decision-making process of women and their health care providers in proceeding with further investigation or therapy for uterine leiomyomas, having considered the disease process and available treatment options, and reviewed the risks and anticipated benefits. Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Systematic Reviews in February 2013, using appropr...

A Comprehensive Review of the Pharmacologic Management of Uterine Leiomyoma

BioMed Research International, 2018

Uterine leiomyomata are the most common benign tumors of the gynecologic tract impacting up to 80% of women by 50 years of age. It is well established that these tumors are the leading cause for hysterectomy with an estimated total financial burden greater than $30 billion per year in the United States. However, for the woman who desires future fertility or is a poor surgical candidate, definitive management with hysterectomy is not an optimal management plan. Typical gynecologic symptoms of leiomyoma include infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB)/heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and/or intermenstrual bleeding (IMB) with resulting iron-deficiency anemia, pelvic pressure and pain, urinary incontinence, and dysmenorrhea. The morbidity caused by these tumors is directly attributable to increases in tumor burden. Interestingly, leiomyoma cells within a tumor do not rapidly proliferate, but rather the increase in tumor size is secondary to production of an excessive, stable, and aber...

Fibroids (uterine myomatosis, leiomyomas)

Clinical evidence, 2007

IntroductionBetween 5-77% of women may have fibroids, depending on the method of diagnosis used. Fibroids may be asymptomatic, or may present with menorrhagia, pain, infertility, or recurrent pregnancy loss. Risk factors for fibroids include obesity, having no children, and no long-term use of the oral contraceptive pill. Fibroids tend to shrink or fibrose after the menopause.Methods and outcomesWe conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of: medical treatment alone; preoperative medical treatments for women scheduled for surgery; and surgical treatments in women with fibroids? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library and other important databases up to November 2006 (BMJ Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). ResultsWe found 41 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.ConclusionsIn this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: gonadorelin analogues (with progestogen, raloxifene, tibolone, or combined oestrogen-progestogen); hysterectomy (plus oophorectomy); hysteroscopic resonance-focused ultrasound; laparoscopic myomectomy; laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy; rollerball endometrial ablation; thermal balloon ablation; thermal myolysis with laser; total abdominal hysterectomy; total abdominal myomectomy; total laparoscopic hysterectomy; total vaginal hysterectomy.

Innovative Oral Treatments of Uterine Leiomyoma

2012

Uterine fibroids (leiomyoma), the benign tumors of the uterine wall, are very common cause of morbidity in reproductive age women usually in the form of excessive vaginal bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, miscarriage and infertility. These tumors are the leading indication for hysterectomy in the United States. Uterine fibroids are about 4 times higher in blacks compared to whites and constitute a major health disparity challenge. The estimated cost of uterine fibroids is up to $34.4 billion annually. Additionally, women who suffer from this disease and desire to maintain their future fertility have very limited treatment choices. Currently, there is no effective long-term medicinal treatment for uterine fibroids. While surgery has traditionally been the gold standard for the treatment of uterine fibroids, there is growing interest towards orally administered medications for the management of leiomyoma-related symptoms. In this review, we will discuss these promising innovative oral medical treatments in detail.

Clinical Presentation & Operative Treatment of Leiomyoma of Uterus and its Outcome

Chattagram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical College Journal, 2014

Introduction: Uterine leiomyoma is remarkably common, however only a subset of women have their fibroids clinically detected, symptomatic, or warrant surgical treatment. Mode of treatment depends on age of the patients, number, size and site of the myoma and also fertility status of the patients. Materials & methods: To evaluate the sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, management outcome and its determinants in BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh, the study was carried out. 50 patients of diagnosed leiomyoma admitted in the BSMMU, Dhaka was selected for the study. Clinical profile, type of surgery and postoperative follow up findings were noted. Data was analyzed by computer based software SPSS -18. Results: The common complaints among the 50 patients were progressive menorrhagia (70%), abdominal swelling (50%), infertility (24%), weight in pelvis (38%), weakness/dizziness or syncopal attack after menstrual period (26%) and recurrent miscarriages (12%). The average uterine size at presentation was 15±9.7 weeks. The majority (70%) of the women presented with multiple leiomyomata. The commonest anatomical position of the myomas were multiple positions and intramural(80%). Total abdominal hysterectomy with or without bilateral sulphingo ophorectomy according to age was the commonest surgical procedure performed in thirty two (64%) cases. Myomectomy was done in 12(24%) cases and laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy was done in also 6(12%) of patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 24%(12) of the women. The most common complications were postoperative pyrexia 12%, blood loss warranting transfusion 8%, wound infection 10% and prolonged hospital stay 6%. Conclusion: Uterine fibroid is common in our environment and most of the patients had regular menstrual cycle with progressive menorragia. Its removal is commonly associated with post-operative pyrexia, blood loss, and anemia and wound infection. Preoperative correction of anemia appropriate use of antibiotics and strict hemostasis and asepsis can reduce these complications.

Therapeutic management of uterine fibroid tumors: updated French guidelines

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 2012

The medical management of symptomatic non-submucosal uterine fibroid tumors (leiomyomas or myomas) is based on the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding by any of the following: progestogens, a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device, tranexamic acid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or GnRH analogs. Selective progesterone receptor modulators are currently being evaluated and have recently been approved for fibroid treatment. Neither combined estrogen-progestogen contraception nor hormone treatment of the menopause is contraindicated in women with fibroids.