NUR 2502 NUR2502 MULTIDIMENSIONAL CARE III MDC 3 EXAM 1 STU

WHAT IS IT? ▪ Uterine leiomyomas, also known as a uterine fibroids ▪ Common benign tumors of smooth muscle cells or myometrium. ▪ Composed of smooth muscle that is replaced by fibrous (collagen and fibronectin) connective tissue ▪ Growth is promoted by estrogen ▪ Estrogen is the most important stimulus for leiomyoma growth ▪ Recent findings suggest that volume and growth of myomas are also heavily progesterone dependent ▪ Distinct, firm and round ▪ Often occur in groups ▪ Classified according to location ▪ Intramural - within the muscular wall of uterus ▪ Subserous –on the outside surface of uterus ▪ Submucosal – on the inside of the uterus lining ▪ May be attached by stem, increased risk to torsion or infection) ▪ Can be located in cervix, or within ligaments ▪ Can detach from uterus, feeds of blood supply from abdominal organs