Uterine leiomyomata: a five year clinicopathological review in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Uterine Leiomyomata (uterine fibroids) are common gynaecologic conditions affecting mainly women in the reproductive age group. Fibroids are associated with many other distressing gynaecologic conditions like menorrhagia, infertility, lower abdominal swelling and discomfort. Methods: This is a retrospective clinicopathological analysis uterine leiomyomata a five-year period (1996-2000). The information required was retrieved from histology bench books and request cards. Results: 209 cases were analysed, 62.7% from myomectomy 37.3% following hysterectomy. Younger patients opted for myomectomy possibly in other to allow them complete their family sizes. Uterine fibroids were commoner in the third to fourth decade of life.The nulliparous women to had a higher incidence of uterine fibroid (60.6%) in 71 cases analysed whose parity were known. Lower abdominal swelling is the commonest presenting complaint (48.8%), followed by menorrhagia and infertility accounting for 35.4% and 30.6% respectively. Hyaline degeneration was the commonest degenerative change observed (57.9%). Three cases (1.4%) had necrosis. Nineteen cases were observed to be associated with other co-existing lesions, of which 52.6% occur with fibroid polyps. Adenomyosis accounted for 36.8% and one case each of metastatic carcinoma and interligamentary fibroids. Adequate clinical information and brief surgical procedure on request cards were lacking in most cases. Conclusion: Uterine fibroids are common conditions affecting women in their reproductive age group, which corresponds with economically viable age group. This condition is associated with significant morbity and attention needs to be focused on it.

Effects of obesity on the development of uterine leiomyomata: a retrospective study of 169 women who had myomectomy in southern Nigeria

“…A study in Enugu showed that 60% of patients with symptomatic uterine fibroid had myomectomy while 36.8% had hysterectomy [2]. These values were similar to findings in Zaria which showed that 62.7% of patients with symptomatic uterine fibroid had myomectomy while 37.3% had hysterectomy [3]. Those who had myomectomy were mainly women who were still desirous of pregnancy.…”

“…Uterine fibroids affect predominantly women in their third and fourth decades of life [1], who are mostly nulliparous; studies carried out in Ilorin and Zaria showed that of women who had uterine fibroids, 60.8% and 60.6% were nulliparous [1,3]. The role of oestrogen in the aetiology of fibroid explains why age and parity may be a risk factor in the development of uterine fibroid.…”

“…The common clinical features are menstrual disorders, lower abdominal pain and/or swelling, and infertility [1,2,3]. In Nigeria, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment.…”

Morphological variants and secondary changes in uterine leiomyomas – Is it important to recognize them?

“…3 The incidence of these changes and variants are similar to other publications where a large number leiomyomas were studied. 5,6,7,8 Hyaline change and calcification are usually seen in long standing leiomyomas and do not pose significant IJBR (2013) 04 (12) www.ssjournals.com diagnostic problems.…”

Uterine Fibroids and Pregnancy: A Review of the Challenges

“…Despite the late presentation, most of these women, when they finally accept surgery and have been able to raise the money for the surgery seek to have abdominal myomectomy despite counseling and despite the risk associated with such a surgery instead of opting for the less risky hysterectomy because of their desire to conserve their reproductive potential [16,17]. Extensive abdominal myomectomy is associated with prolonged anesthesia and surgery times, increased risk of hemorrhage, sepsis, thromboembolism, uterine synechia, intraperitoneal adhesions and intestinal obstruction [3,[18][19][20].…”