Uterine fibroids are as big as a nearly 7 month fetus

Ms. Ngan suffered from menorrhagia, each cycle lasting more than 10 days, in the last 6 months of last year, and was hospitalized three times for severe anemia, each time transfusing 500-750 ml of blood. This time, the results of an ultrasound and MRI scan at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City showed that the uterine fibroids had grown large, occupying nearly the entire lower abdomen, causing pressure and causing hydronephrosis. In the uterus there are many tumors, 6x7x6 cm in size, with signs of degeneration.

According to Dr. Huynh Ngoc Thu Tra, Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, most uterine fibroids are benign, growing thanks to blood and female sex hormones. As the tumor grows, the body forms more blood vessels to provide oxygen and nutrients, similar to feeding a living organ.

In the early stages, fibroids are small, so the need for blood supply is not much, and they usually cause few symptoms. However, if not monitored or treated, the tumor can grow large, creating a dense network of blood vessels. The tumor causes menorrhagia and prolonged bleeding due to deforming the uterine cavity, thereby causing severe anemia.

Ms. Ngan had open surgery, the doctor’s team removed the entire uterus along with a tumor weighing 3 kg. After 4 days of surgery, she recovered and did not need additional blood transfusions.

Anemia is a common complication in women with uterine fibroids that cause menorrhagia and prolonged bleeding. If the disease is detected early, the doctor can prescribe medical treatment to reduce bleeding and inhibit tumor growth. Depending on the size of the tumor, doctors can also remove the tumor using laparoscopic surgery or robotic surgery to help reduce blood loss and shorten recovery time for the patient.

Uterine fibroids can occur in women of reproductive age and pre-menopause, especially those who have never given birth, gave birth late, and are overweight are at higher risk of developing the disease. The disease is easy to detect through regular ultrasound health checks.

Dr. Tra recommends that women with fibroids need to go to the hospital or clinic for follow-up every 6 months for immediate treatment if there are any abnormalities.