The Different Types Of Fibroids

The different types of fibroids are based on their location within the uterus and pelvis.

Fibroids are benign smooth muscle growths from the uterus. They are
the most common types of benign pelvic tumors in menstruating women.

Despite the common usage of the word types
to describe the different location of fibroids, it is important to
remember that there is really just one type of fibroid which may be of
different sizes and be found at different location.

All uterine
fibroids are similar in their makeup: all are made of abnormal uterus
muscle cells growing in a tight bundle or mass.

Characteristics Of Fibroids

There are three major characteristics of fibroid growths that occur in any woman. These characteristic features include location of the tumor in the uterus, the size of the fibroids and the number of tumors present.

1. Types of Fibroids. The different types are based on the location of the tumor within the uterus. The
   uterus has three layers- an outer layer called the perimetrium or
   serous layer, a middle layer made of smooth muscle called the myometrium
   and an inner layer called the endometrium.With respect to locations(
   see image above), fibroids can be classified as A. Myometrial (intramural) fibroids are within the muscular wall of the uterus. B. Submucosal fibroids
   grow just under the interior surface of the uterus, and may protrude
   into the uterus. These are the type of fibroids that often cause
   abnormal uterine bleeding such as heavy or prolonged menstruation
   because they directly affect the endometrium. The endometrium is the
   layer of the uterus that is shed during menses. C. Subserosal fibroids
   grow on the outside wall of the uterus. This type is often responsible
   for pressure symptoms around surrounding structures like the bladder in
   front and the rectum behind. D. Pedunculated
   fibroids. These usually grow outside of the uterus but remain connected
   to it by a base or stalk like a lollipop attached to the uterus.There
   may be one or more types present in a single woman. For example a woman
   be have subserosal and myometrial fibroids at the same time.
2. Fibroid Size. Fibroids
   vary greatly in their sizes within the uterus. They may range from
   almost invisible to very large tumors of about 7 to 10 cm. In fact
   fibroids may be so large that they cause the abdomen to swell like
   pregnancy. It has been reported how some women have had large fibroids
   and thought they were pregnant!
3. Number of fibroids. There
   might be a single fibroid or many of them. Some women may have up to
   about 10 fibroids of different sizes and locations within the uterus.

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