The uterus is a muscular organ where pregnancy occurs. It consists of three layers: the outer perimetrium; the thick, middle myometrium; and the inner endometrium. Dense tumors may affect any of these layers and may or may not have accompanying symptoms.

Fibroid Tumor

A fibroid tumor is a dense, muscle tumor. Some refer to them as “fibroid cysts,” but this is incorrect. A cyst is a fluid-filled sac. Fibroids may be cystic, meaning that there are fluid collections within the fibroids, but they are generally solid. Fibroids usually become cystic when they begin to break down.

Fibroid Cancer

Fibroids are non-cancerous muscle tumors. According to the Mayo Clinic article, “Uterine fibroids,” the presence of fibroids has no increased risk for developing uterine cancer, and fibroids “almost never develop into cancer.”

Fibroid Occurrence

Mayo Clinic reports that “as many as 3 or 4 women have uterine fibroids.” In many cases, fibroids are not diagnosed because there are no symptoms. They are often found during screening exams or when performing diagnostic tests such as MRI or CT scans for other conditions. Fibroids are most likely to occur in black women. They are hereditary, so a woman is more likely to develop fibroids if her mother had them.

Types of Fibroids

Fibroids are classified according to location. Submucosal fibroids are within or touch the inner, endometrial layer. Myometrial fibroids grow within the muscular myometrium and do not touch the endometrium or the outer perimetrium. Fibroids that touch the perimetrium or grow on its surface are subserosal fibroids. Subserosal fibroids that grow off of the uterus like dog ears are referred to as pedunculated fibroids. Fibroids are further classified as being in the fundus, body, or cervix of the uterus.

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