Name(s):
Benign tumours of the uterus
Benign neoplasm of uterus
Fibroid cervix
Fibroid uterus
Myoma
Fibromyoma
Cervical fibroids
Background
Fibromyoma is probably the most appropriate name, since this benign tumour is composed from two elements: muscle cells from arterial vessels feeding uterus ("myoma" element), and the fibrous connective tissue ("fibro" element) which builds uterine wall. Fibroids are usually firm, spherical lumps that often occur in groups. On cut section fibromyoma reveal whorls of the two elements, fibrous and muscular, resembling an onion on a cross-section.
Incidence
One in five women in the USA has at least some evidence of fibroids, with most occurring in women in their thirties and forties. Fibroids are much more common among black women than among white women, although the reason for this difference is not known. Uterine fibroids account for 30% of hysterectomies.