Akademik

Leiomyoma

A benign tumor of smooth muscle, the type of muscle that is found in the heart and uterus. A leiomyoma of the uterus is commonly called a fibroid. Uterine fibroids are the single most common indication for hysterectomy. Fibroids can be present and be inapparent. However, they are clinically apparent in up to 25% of women and cause significant morbidity, including prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain, and, in rare cases, reproductive dysfunction. Both the economic cost and the effect of fibroids on quality of life are substantial. Fibroids are not cancerous. Drugs that manipulate the levels of steroid hormones are effective in treating fibroids but side-effects limit their long-term use. Fibroids may be removed if they cause discomfort or if they are associated with uterine bleeding. Surgery is the mainstay of fibroid treatment. In addition to hysterectomy and abdominal myomectomy, various minimally invasive procedures have been developed to remove fibroids.

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A benign neoplasm derived from smooth (nonstriated) muscle. [leio- + G. mys, muscle, + -oma, tumor]

- l. cutis cutaneous eruption of multiple small painful nodules composed of smooth muscle fibers; derived from arrector muscles of hair. Solitary, nonpainful l. cutis may arise from cutaneous blood vessel s and genital skin. SYN: dermatomyoma.

- parasitic l. a uterine l. which has become detached from the uterus and adherent to another peritoneal surface from which it derives a blood supply.

- vascular l. a markedly vascular l., apparently arising from the smooth muscle of blood vessel s. SYN: angioleiomyoma, angiomyofibroma, angiomyoma.

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leio·my·o·ma .lī-ō-mī-'ō-mə n, pl -mas also -ma·ta -mət-ə a benign tumor (as a fibroid) consisting of smooth muscle fibers

leio·my·o·ma·tous -mət-əs adj

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a benign tumour of smooth muscle. Such tumours occur most commonly in the uterus (see fibroid) but can also arise in the digestive tract, walls of blood vessels, etc. They may undergo malignant change (see leiomyosarcoma).

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leio·myo·ma (li″o-mi-oґmə) pl. leiomyomas, leiomyoґmata [leio- + myoma] a benign tumor derived from smooth muscle; called also fibroid and fibroid tumor.

Medical dictionary. 2011.