Which term describes benign uterine tumors made of muscle and fibrous tissue?

• A. Ovarian cancer
• B. Uterine fibroids
• C. Cervical cancer
• D. Endometriosis

Answer: (B)

Benign uterine tumors made of muscle and fibrous tissue are uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas. They arise from the smooth muscle of the uterine wall (the myometrium) and are noncancerous growths. The term “fibroid” comes from their fibrous, firm texture. They are common during reproductive years and can be single or multiple. Many women have no symptoms, but when present they often cause heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain, and sometimes fertility or pregnancy issues. Growth is influenced by hormones, especially estrogen, so fibroids may enlarge during reproductive years and often shrink after menopause. Diagnosis typically involves a pelvic exam and ultrasound. Treatment depends on symptoms, size, and fertility plans and can range from observation to medical therapies that control bleeding or shrink fibroids, to surgical options like removal of the fibroids (myomectomy) or the uterus (hysterectomy), and other procedures such as uterine artery embolization. The other terms refer to cancers of different organs or to a condition involving displaced endometrial tissue, so they don’t describe these muscle-and-fibrous-tiber uterine tumors.