A Case Report and Review of the Literature on Uterine Fatty Tumours (UFT): A Field of Heterogeneous Data

Abstract

A case of uterine fatty tumour of 2 cm studied by transvaginal ultrasound in a 67-year-old woman undergone totally laparoscopic hysterectomy is here presented along with an updated review of this kind of tumours. A total of 226 cases from 75 publications could be found. Traditional definitions of these tumours are here critically reconsidered. The terminology used to define these tumours is confusing and reflects main radiological and pathological points of view (uterine fatty tumours [UFT] vs. lipoma/ lipoleiomyoma). It is here stressed that these tumours by occurring in aged and overweight women are not so uncommon as generally believed, can be very well recognized, as far as they are small (< 4 cm), by transvaginal ultrasound while CT and MR become more specific for decision making in case of larger size tumours. Symptoms largely vary from none to sudden lump enlargement or bleeding or pain. An association with malignancy has been found in 10% suggesting a radical treatment (hysterectomy) in most cases.