MedGen

A well-circumscribed benign smooth muscle neoplasm characterized by the presence of spindle cells with cigar-shaped nuclei, interlacing fascicles, and a whorled pattern. [from NCI]

Uterine leiomyoma (UL), commonly known as fibroids, are benign tumors of the uterine myometrium. They represent the most prevalent pelvic tumors in women and are found in more than 75% of women of reproductive age. Approximately 20 to 25% of women with UL exhibit symptoms including menorrhagia, infertility, pelvic pain, and a range of complications during pregnancy. UL are the leading cause for hysterectomy in the United States, accounting for 30% of all hysterectomies (summary by Eggert et al., 2012). [from OMIM]