Medical Treatment of Fibroid to Decrease Rate of Hysterectomy

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign pelvic tumors in women [1, 2]. They are monoclonal tumors of the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium and consist of large amounts of extracellular matrix that contains collagen, fibronectin and proteoglycan [2, 3]. A thin pseudocapsule that is composed of areolar tissue and compressed muscle fibers usually surrounds the tumors [4]. Leiomyomas may enlarge to cause significant distortion of the uterine surface or cavity. Although they are benign, they commonly result in severe symptoms, such as heavy, irregular and prolonged menstrual bleeding as well as anemia. Uterine leiomyomas have also been associated with numerous other medical disorders, such as infertility, recurrent abortion and preterm labor [5]. These clinical complications negatively impact women’s health. Uterine leiomyomas are the most cited indication for more than 600,000 hysterectomies performed in the US annually, and this major surgery is associated with morbidity and mortality as well as a huge economic impact on healthcare delivery systems that is estimated to be approximately $2.2 billion/year [6].