Women's Cancer - Uterine Cancer

The uterus is a hollow, muscular organ where a fetus grows. Uterine cancer is one type of womens cancer and can start in different parts of the uterus. Most uterine cancers start in the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus). This is called endometrial cancer. Most endometrial cancers are adenocarcinomas (cancers that begin in cells that make mucus and other fluids).

Because endometrial cancer is often discovered at an early stage of its development in the body, most women are cured. Even if the disease is not discovered until after it has advanced, treatment is still possible but the likelihood of a long-term cure is lower. 

Uterine sarcoma is an uncommon form of uterine cancer that forms in the muscle and tissue that support the uterus.

Obesity, certain inherited conditions, and taking estrogen alone (without progesterone) can increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Radiation therapy to the pelvis can increase the risk of uterine sarcoma. Taking tamoxifen for breast cancer can increase the risk of both endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma.

The most common sign of endometrial cancer is unusual vaginal bleeding. Endometrial cancer can usually be cured. Uterine sarcoma is harder to cure. 

Symptoms

If you are concerned about symptoms it is important that you see a gynaecologist (specialist doctor in women’s health). It is more likely that your symptoms are not related to cancer but it is important to have any symptoms checked.

Symptoms of endometrial cancer include:

• bleeding after you have been through menopause (once your periods have stopped for twelve months)
• unusually heavy periods and bleeding inbetween your periods
• an unusual fluid or discharge from your vagina that is watery, bloody or smelly
• pain in your belly or abdomen
• trouble going to the toilet to pass urine (wee) or pain when you do go.

See a doctor if you have any of these symptoms and they don’t go away and/or are unusual for you. 

Treatment

Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy) may be done in women with early stage 1 cancer. The doctor may also recommend removing the tubes and ovaries.

Surgery combined with radiation therapy is another treatment option. It is often used for women with

• Stage 1 disease that has a high chance of returning, has spread to the lymph nodes, or is a grade 2 or 3.
• Stage 2 disease.

Chemotherapy or hormonal therapy may be considered in some cases, most often for those with stage 3 and 4 disease.

Is Adhesion a Type of Womens Cancer?

Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between organs. In the abdomen, they form after an abdominal surgery or after a bout of intra-abdominal infection (ie, pelvic inflammatory disease, diverticulitis). More than 95% of patients who undergo abdominal surgery develop adhesions; these are almost inevitably part of the body’s healing process. 

Although most adhesions are asymptomatic, some can cause bowel obstructions, infertility, and chronic pain. In a study that reviewed over 18,912 patients who underwent previous open abdominal surgery, 14.3% presented with a bowel obstruction in 2 years, with 2.6% of these patients requiring adhesiolysis to relieve the bowel obstruction. Postoperative adhesions account for 74% of cases of small-bowel obstruction. Kista endometriosis is one of the most common etiologies because peritoneal lesions activate a chronic extensive inflammatory process, leading to dense adhesions. In fact, kista endometriosis-related adhesions are so common that the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) assigns more points to adhesions for the staging of kista endometriosis than it does to the disease itself.

Laparotomy with open adhesiolysis has been the treatment of choice for acute complete bowel obstructions. Patients who have partial obstructions, with soame enteric contents traversing the obstruction, may also require surgery if nonoperative measures fail. However, operation often leads to formation of new intra-abdominal adhesions in 10-30% of patients, which may necessitate another laparotomy for recurrent bowel obstruction in the future.

Laparoscopic adhesiolysis was successfully used by Dr Vijayavel for the treatment of severe bowel obstruction in one patient with a multiple adhesive band. The patient experience painful periods and painful sex as the bowels were stuck to the uterus. Dr Vijayavel released the bowels from the uterus successfully using laparascopic adhesiolysis technique.

Compared with the open approach to adhesiolysis, the laparoscopic approach offers the following: 

• Less postoperative pain
• Decreased incidence of ventral hernia
• Reduced recovery time with earlier return of bowel function
• Shorter hospital stay

Introduction to Pregnancy Care

Why do I need pregnancy care? 

When a woman gets pregnant, chances are she has a number of questions regarding her health from the moment she finds out she has conceived. When a woman is pregnant it is important that she is taking care of her body to the best of her ability to create the best possible environment for her baby. 

Pregnancy care can help keep you and your baby healthy. Babies of mothers who do not get pregnancy care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care.

Doctors can spot health problems early when they see mothers regularly. This allows doctors to treat them early. Early treatment can cure many problems and prevent others. Doctors also can talk to pregnant women about things they can do to give their unborn babies a healthy start to life. 

What is pregnancy care?

Pregnancy care is the care you receive from a health care provider, such as a doctor or midwife, during pregnancy. During pregnancy care visits, your health care provider will make sure you and the developing fetus are healthy and strong. These regular checkups are your chance to learn how to manage the discomforts of pregnancy, have any testing you may need, learn warning signs, and ask any questions you may have. 

It's best to begin before you are pregnant - this is sometimes called pre-pregnancy health or preconception planning. But if that is not possible, begin pregnancy care as soon as you know you're pregnant. 

What will happen during my first pregnancy care visit? 

The first pregnancy care visit is usually the longest. The examination is very thorough. You will be asked questions about your medical history. You will also be asked about your partner's medical history and your family's medical history. You will have a complete physical exam. Your health care provider will measure your height, weight, blood pressure, breathing, and pulse.

Usually, you will be given a gynecological exam that will include:

• a breast exam
• a Pap test
• tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea

You may be offered blood or skin tests to check for:

• anemia — including sickle cell anemia
• blood type
• certain inherited diseases, such as Gaucher's and Tay-Sachs
• cystic fibrosis
• hepatitis
• HIV/AIDS
• rubella
• syphilis
• thalassemia
• tuberculosis
  

Some pregnancy care doctors will also do an overall physical health check involving listening to your heart and lungs, feeling the front of your throat to see if your thyroid gland is enlarged, checking your breasts for lumps and looking at your legs to check for varicose veins.

You may also be given urine tests to check for diabetes or other infections.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you traveled to a country with Zika or think your partner has Zika. They may test you for Zika and check to see if the baby has it, too.

Your health care provider may take this opportunity to discuss your lifestyle and habits and to suggest certain changes that may help make the pregnancy healthy. One of the most important things a woman can do is to take folic acid — a B vitamin — every day to prevent serious birth defects.

You may have an earlier ultrasound if you experienced bleeding during early pregnancy, or your pregnancy may need to be 'dated', if you are unsure about when your last period was (or you didn't have a last period to speak of). Sometimes an early ultrasound is done as a genetic test, known as a nuchal translucency scan. Some pregnancy care doctors purchase ultrasound machines to perform 'informal' ultrasounds at every pregnancy visit in their private rooms (however, this is not essential and you can decline having this done if you prefer). Generally, the ultrasound your pregnancy care doctor does can only provide a limited amount of information. You would need to have an ultrasound performed by a qualified technician and reported on by a qualified ultrasonographer, to definitely confirm your pregnancy care doctor's ultrasound findings. 

Genetic testing may be offered to you (or you may request it) to screen for inherited abnormalities in your baby. There are many options to consider, with these tests usually being organised after a consultation with a genetic counsellor. This is covered in more detail in genetic testing and early ultrasound.

The main aims of the first pregnancy visit are for your pregnancy care doctor to obtain detailed information about your health, medical and pregnancy history as well as provide you with information about various aspects of the pregnancy and your care and perform (or order) some routine pregnancy tests. 

How often will I have pregnancy care visits?

If you are 18 to 35 years old and healthy, you will probably have a "low-risk" pregnancy. If so, plan to have pregnancy care visits about

• every four or six weeks, from the first to seventh month of pregnancy (the first 28 weeks)
• every two or three weeks in the eighth month (from week 28 to 36)
• every week in the ninth month (from week 36 until delivery)

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, your health care provider may ask you to come in for pregnancy care more often.

Specific factors that might contribute to a high-risk pregnancy include:

• Advanced maternal age. Pregnancy risks are higher for mothers age 35 and older.
• Lifestyle choices. Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs can put a pregnancy at risk.
• Medical history. A prior C-section, low birth weight baby or preterm birth - birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy - might increase the risk in subsequent pregnancies. Other risk factors include a family history of genetic conditions, a history of pregnancy loss or the death of a baby shortly after birth.
• Underlying conditions. Chronic conditions - such as diabetes, high blood pressure and epilepsy - increase pregnancy risks. A blood condition, such as anemia, an infection or an underlying mental health condition also can increase pregnancy risks.
• Pregnancy complications. Various complications that develop during pregnancy pose risks, such as problems with the uterus, cervix or placenta. Other concerns might include too much amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) or low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios), restricted fetal growth, or Rh (rhesus) sensitization - a potentially serious condition that can occur when your blood group is Rh negative and your baby's blood group is Rh positive.
• Multiple pregnancy. Pregnancy risks are higher for women carrying twins or higher order multiples.

What will happen during my follow-up pregnancy care visits?

Your health care provider will check that your pregnancy is progressing well. During pregnancy care visits your provider may

• test your urine
• check your blood pressure
• check your weight
• check for swelling in the face, hands, or feet
• examine your abdomen to check the position of the fetus
• measure the growth of your uterus
• listen for the sounds of the fetal heartbeat
• offer pregnancy testing

Each visit is also an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns that have come up since your last visit. 

What is pregnancy testing? 

Your health care provider may offer you certain tests during your pregnancy. These tests are used to make sure that you are healthy and the fetus is doing well. Some tests identify possible birth defects.

The different tests are done at certain times. Your health care provider will let you know what tests you may want or need, and when you will need them.

Some common pregnancy tests for birth defects and other abnormalities include

• ultrasound
• multiple marker screening
• CVS - chorionic villus sampling
• amniocentesis

Another common test is the biophysical profile (BPP). It is most commonly given during the third trimester. The BPP uses ultrasound combined with a fetal monitor to observe fetal heartbeat and movement. BPP allows your health care provider to evaluate the well-being of the fetus. 

What is an ultrasound?

Ultrasound allows a health care provider to take pictures of the embryo or fetus as it develops. An ultrasound scan builds a picture of the embryo or fetus on a screen by bouncing sound waves into your uterus. Ultrasound is also called a sonogram. Depending on when it is done during pregnancy, it may

• confirm your due date
• find certain abnormalities
• find multiple pregnancies
• measure the length of your cervix
• show the position and size of the fetus
• show the position of the placenta

Ultrasound is a very safe procedure - no x-rays are involved. 

Between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy, some providers combine a blood test with a special kind of ultrasound. Some providers refer to this as the combined test. It is used to screen for Down syndrome and other genetic birth defects. 

How ultrasound is done?

There are two ways to do an ultrasound - through the abdomen or through the vagina. Ultrasounds may be performed by your health care provider or by a trained ultrasound technician.

During an abdominal ultrasound, your provider will place the ultrasound wand on your abdomen, using a small amount of gel to help lubricate the area. You may feel pressure during the exam, but it is not painful.

During a vaginal ultrasound, your provider will insert the ultrasound wand into the vagina. This may feel similar to a vaginal exam. You may feel pressure during the exam, but it is not painful. 

What changes can I expect during pregnancy?

There are many changes that occur during pregnancy. Your body will go through a lot of hormonal changes. Your uterus will grow up to 18 times larger than it normally is. Your breasts and nipples will become larger. And you will gain weight.

You may have increased and decreased sexual desire. You may have changes in the texture of your hair and in the amount of body hair you have. And you may experience other discomforts and changes that are new to you. You can discuss these changes at your pregnancy care visits.

Common discomforts during pregnancy include

• nausea or vomiting

  • Nosebleeds and nasal stuffiness are common during pregnancy. They are caused by the increased amount of blood in your body and hormones acting on the tissues of your nose. The hormones that seem to have the most to do with this process include the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estrogen, and progesterone. Abnormal levels of thyroid hormones have also been reported in women with severe vomiting,

• indigestion and heartburn

  • Hormones and the pressure of the growing uterus cause indigestion and heartburn. Pregnancy hormones slow down the muscles of the digestive tract. So food tends to move more slowly and digestion is sluggish. This causes many pregnant women to feel bloated. Hormones also relax the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. This allows food and acids to come back up from the stomach to the esophagus. The food and acid causes the burning feeling of heartburn. As your baby gets bigger, the uterus pushes on the stomach making heartburn more common in later pregnancy.

• constipation

  • Many pregnant women complain of constipation. Signs of constipation include having hard, dry stools; fewer than three bowel movements per week; and painful bowel movements. Higher levels of hormones due to pregnancy slow down digestion and relax muscles in the bowels leaving many women constipated. Plus, the pressure of the expanding uterus on the bowels can contribute to constipation.

• aches and pains in the abdomen and lower back

  • As your uterus expands, you may feel aches and pains in the back, abdomen, groin area, and thighs. Many women also have backaches and aching near the pelvic bone due the pressure of the baby's head, increased weight, and loosening joints. Some pregnant women complain of pain that runs from the lower back, down the back of one leg, to the knee or foot. This is called sciatica (SYE-AT-ick-uh). It is thought to occur when the uterus puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.

• tiredness

  • During your pregnancy, you might feel tired even after you've had a lot of sleep. Many women find they're exhausted in the first trimester. Don't worry, this is normal! This is your body's way of telling you that you need more rest. In the second trimester, tiredness is usually replaced with a feeling of well being and energy. But in the third trimester, exhaustion often sets in again. As you get larger, sleeping may become more difficult. The baby's movements, bathroom runs, and an increase in the body's metabolism might interrupt or disturb your sleep. Leg cramping can also interfere with a good night's sleep.

Tips for avoiding nausea and vomiting

• Eat a small portion of something before getting out of bed.
• Drink small cups of ginger or peppermint tea.
• Have several small meals throughout the day instead of fewer large ones.
• Drink fluids between meals rather than with your meals.
• Avoid strong spices and odors and greasy foods.

Tips for avoiding heartburn

• Have several small meals throughout the day instead of fewer large ones.
• Chew your food slowly.
• Don't lie down for at least an hour after eating.
• Wear clothes that are loose around your waist.
• Raise your head with several pillows while sleeping.

Tips for avoiding constipation

• Increase the amount of liquids and fiber in your diet.
• Eat more dried or raw fruits and vegetables.
• Use whole-grain bread and cereals.
• Get exercise.

Rupture in Large Kista Endometriosis Cyst

Rupture of the endometriotic cysts can occur any time of the cycle during the menstrual flow. Kista endometriosis is a common disease in women, the incidence varying from 10 to 50 percent in different parts of the world. Acute abdomen pain results from rupture of ovarian kista endometriosis cysts. Other symptoms are fever, vaginal bleeding. The pain was sudden, severe and continuous.

Cases of acute ovarian kista endometriosis cyst rupture are rare, but they may be associated with severe peritonitis and systemic disturbance, followed by adhesion formation. A theory on the formation of ascites in endometriosis was postulated by Bernstein, who suggested that the blood and endometrial cells shed into the peritoneal cavity may irritate and stimulate the peritoneum, thereby resulting in ascites. Other authors have reported that rupture of endometriotic cysts with subsequent peritoneal irritation and the production of reactive exudates may provide an explanation. Ruptured endometriotic cysts sometimes present a diagnostic problem and surgical challenge because patients with a ruptured cyst present with symptoms of an acute abdomen associated with severe abdominal pain and unstable vital signs. Ruptured ovarian endometriotic cysts can sometimes mimic ovarian malignancy because of the extremely elevated serum CA 125 concentration.

Emergency surgical intervention may lead to a better prognosis, particularly in patients without a history of previous endometrioma surgery.

In patients with ruptured kista endometriosis cysts, the ascites is usually confined to the pelvic cavity with a loculated contour, and this suggests associated pelvic adhesion, which is an extremely common and important complication of endometriosis. After a corpus luteal cyst ruptures, hemoperitoneum will be present within the pelvis and possibly throughout the abdomen. Higher attenuation blood is typically present within the pelvis, as compared with being present the abdomen, and blood may be present adjacent to the cystic lesion, indicating that the source of the hemoperitoneum is cyst rupture.

A Corpus luteum cyst is a type of ovarian cyst which may rupture about the time of menstruation, and take up to three months to disappear entirely. A corpus luteum cyst rarely occurs at age 50+, because eggs are no longer being produced in menopausal women. Corpus luteum cysts may contain blood and other fluids. The physical shape of a corpus luteum cyst may appear as an enlargement of the ovary itself, rather than a distinct mass -like growth on the surface of the ovary.

The CT appearance of ruptured endometriotic cysts is relatively distinctive compared to that of ruptured functional cysts, and the accurate preoperative characterization of ovarian cyst via CT will help the surgical planning. In conclusion, the diagnosis of ruptured endometriotic cyst should be suspected for a woman in whom CT reveals the presence of multilocular or bilateral ovarian cysts with a thick wall and loculated ascites confined to pelvic cavity with pelvic fat infiltrations.

This video shows how Dr Vijay removes a ruptured kista endometriosis cyst using laparascopy.

Types of Ovarian Cysts

Physiologic (also called functional) – one kind occurs prior to ovulation and is called an ovulation or follicular cyst. Another kind occurs after ovulation and is called a corpus luteum cyst.

With few exceptions physiologic cysts go away on their own and don't require surgery.

Or Pathologic – these are abnormal and generally do not go away by their selves. 

What is a pathologic ovarian cyst?

 

These cysts don't serve a function–the majority of them occur in women under 50 and are benign. There are many different kinds of pathologic ovarian cysts – most are benign. You may have heard of some of these. 

Dermoid cyst is one type of pathologic ovarian cyst. These cysts contain many types of cells. They may be filled with hair, teeth, and other tissues that become part of the cyst. They too are generally painless but can become large and often show up on either a pelvic examination or a routine ultrasound. 

Endometriomas. These cysts form in women who have kista endometriosis. Kista endometriosis occurs when tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus-often on the surface of the uterus, bowel, bladder or ovaries. When the tissue becomes attached to the ovary it tends to grow rapidly and can produce large ovarian cysts. These cysts can produce pain, infertility and even make it difficult to have sex. 

Cystadenomas. These cysts form from cells on the outer surface of the ovary. They are often filled with a watery fluid or thick, sticky gel. They can become large and cause pain. Most often, however, these cysts do not cause pain unless they twist or rupture. 

Polycystic ovaries. These cysts are caused when eggs mature within the "little balloons" but are not released. The cycle then repeats. The sacs continue to grow and many cysts form. Women with polycystic ovaries often have other issues which may include irregular periods and infertility.

What Are The Symptoms?

Dermoid cysts of the ovaries are capsules of tissue which are covered in a thick layer of leathery skin. They can grow on one or both ovaries. Most do not cause symptoms, however if the tumor grows it can result in complications. Possible complications include:

• Abdominal pain.
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding.
• Difficulties in urinating if the cyst puts pressure on the bladder.
•  Nausea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting.
• Painful intercourse.
• Persistent dull ache in the thighs and lower back.
• Unexplained weight gain. Some women report bloating of the tummy, to the point where they can appear 6 months pregnant.

Dermoid cysts are rarely a medical emergency. The only time they are likely to become so is where ovarian torsion occurs. 

Dermoid cyst of the ovary : A dermoid cyst develops from a totipotential germ cell (a primary oocyte) that is retained within the egg sac (ovary). Being totipotential, that cell can give rise to all orders of cells necessary to form mature tissues and often recognizable structures such as hair, bone and sebaceous (oily) material, neural tissue and teeth.

Dermoid cysts can range in size from a centimeter (less than a half inch) up to 45 cm (about 17 inches) in diameter. These cysts can cause the ovary to twist (torsion) and imperil its blood supply. The larger the dermoid cyst, the greater the risk of rupture with spillage of the greasy contents which can create problems with adhesions, pain etc. Although the large majority (about 98%) of these tumors are benign, the remaining fraction (about 2%) becomes cancerous (malignant).

Removal of the dermoid cyst is usually the treatment of choice. This can be done by laparotomy (open surgery) or laparascopy (with a scope). Torsion (twisting) of the ovary by the cyst is an emergency and calls for urgent surgery.

Watch how Dr Vijayavel successfully removed a large dermoid cyst using laparascopy.

Surviving Women's Cancer - Ovarian Cancer

While Ovarian Cancer in the lymph nodes is certainly not a good thing, the prognosis is not any worse than someone staged at IIIC due to the size and locations of metastasis. As a matter of fact, in some cases, disease in the lymph nodes affords a better prognosis than those staged at IIIC due to bulky disease in the upper abdomen.

There has been extensive research on this topic. Several studies indicate that ovarian cancer, even when found in the lymph nodes, is not very likely to spread via the lymphatic system. There is also studies that show that many women are upstaged to IIIC due lymph node involvement, and those that are upstaged ( not really a true stage IIIC otherwise ) have significantly better survival than those who are "true" staged IIIC. 

Survival Rates  

Ovarian Cancer Research Fund wrote that for all types of ovarian cancer or women's cancer taken together, about 3 in 4 women with ovarian cancer live for at least 1 year after diagnosis. Almost half (46%) of women with ovarian cancer are still alive at least 5 years after diagnosis. Women diagnosed when they are younger than 65 do better than older women.

Most women diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer have a five-year survival rate of approximately 34%. Survival rates are often based on studies of large numbers of people, but they can't predict what will happen in any particular person's case. Other factors impact a woman's prognosis, including her general health, the grade of the cancer, and how well the cancer responds to treatment. 

Women'sCancer Staging  

Brenda B. Spriggs, MD, MPH, FACP from Healthline says "Staging is a way of describing how far the cancer has spread and how aggressive it is. This usually can't be determined until after surgery. Knowing the stage helps doctors formulate a treatment plan and gives you some idea of what to expect. These are the four stages for ovarian cancer."

Stage 1 

In stage 1, the cancer has not spread outside the ovaries. Stage 1A means the cancer is only in one ovary. In stage 1B, the cancer is found in both ovaries. Stage 1C means one or both ovaries contain cancer cells, and there are cancer cells outside an ovary. 

Stage 2 

In stage 2, the cancer has occurred in one or both ovaries, and it has spread elsewhere within the pelvis. Stage 2A means it has gone from the ovaries to the fallopian tubes, the uterus, or to both. Stage 2B indicates the cancer has migrated to nearby organs like the bladder, sigmoid colon, or rectum. 

Stage 3 

In stage 3, the cancer is found in one or both ovaries and in the lining of the abdomen, or it has spread to lymph nodes in the abdomen. In Stage 3A, the cancer is found in other pelvic organs and in lymph nodes within the abdominal cavity (retroperitoneal lymph nodes), or in the abdominal lining. Stage 3B is when the cancer has spread to nearby organs within the pelvis. Cancer cells may be found on the outside of the spleen or liver, or in the lymph nodes. Stage 3C means larger deposits of cancer cells are found outside the spleen or liver or it has spread to the lymph nodes. 

Stage 4 

In stage 4, the cancer has spread to distant sites. In stage 4A, cancer cells are present in the fluid around the lungs. Stage 4B means it has reached the inside of the spleen or liver, distant lymph nodes, or to other distant organs such as the skin, lungs, or brain. This is the most advanced stage of ovarian cancer. 

Stage	Survival Rate
1	90%
1A	94%
1B	92%
1C	85%
2	70%
2A	78%
2B	73%
3	39%
3A	59%
3B	52%
3C	39%
4	17%

What affects survival 

The latest study, which was quoted by Cancer Research UK reported that your survival rate depends on the stage of the cancer when it was diagnosed. This means how big it is and whether it has spread.

The type and grade of ovarian cancer affects your likely survival. Grade means how abnormal the cells look under the microscope.

Your likely survival is also affected by whether the surgeon can remove all the tumour during initial surgery.

Your general health and fitness may also affect survival. Doctors have a way of grading how well you are. This is called performance status. Women who have a good performance status have a better outlook.

Age also affects outcome and survival is better for younger women. 

Judith Fox, a women's cancer survivor of stage 3C adds "You are an individual," she said, "and survival rates are statistics based on thousands of women." She continued, "The statistics will not predict how you will respond to treatment.

"When you get into treatment, you have a choice - you can dwell on where you are, or you can focus on the things you have to look forward to." said Danielle Dennis, remembering when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Severe Bloating from Fibroids

When fibroids become enlarged, they may press on the surrounding organs, including the bowel. This sometimes leads to constipation, resulting in slower bowel movements and blocked intestines. A woman may feel bloated or complain of a feeling of 'fullness'. If you do experience constipation as a result of fibroids, you may consider a stool softener.

Where a fibroids diagnosis has not be given, but you continue to experience abdominal bloating, constipation and weight gain, ask your doctor for a pelvic examination. These are also signs of ovarian cancer.

Some women may have uterus the size of a 4 to 5 month pregnancy with several large fibroids. The upper abdomen will get severely bloated and tight at times. You will feel like it is going to blowup when the pressure gets severe. Size of the fibroid can be very large fibroid making women's uterus the size of a full term pregnancy.

Some patients experience inconsistency in the sizes of fibroids. "I can put on a pair of pants in the morning, and they'll be too tight by the end of the afternoon if I'm on my feet too much. Yesterday, I scrubbed my bathtub and felt horrible for the rest of the day. One day constipation... the next diarrhea. Today I hurt all the way from my lower back all the way to my thighs... it's really gotten much worse in the last couple of weeks. And feeling like "something is going to drop out of me...." said one of the patients. 

I too feel really "full" at times. But I have found with moving or walking a bit it "moves" and the pain is easier. Not sure if this makes sense. My fibroids have my uterus about 4 months pregnant size. I also am finding I need to go to the bathroom more often, possibly pressing on my bladder now. And I too have had the diarrhea for "no reason". Mentioned another patient. 

Treatment 

Small fibroids do not usually require any treatment. If fibroids are small, they will be monitored regularly and treated only if they grow in size. If a fibroid causes a significant amount of pain, over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers may be used to reduce the severity of the pain. Low dose birth control pills may also be used to maintain hormonal balance and stop the growth of fibroids, according to Women's Health. A medication called a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist may be given to decrease the size of fibroids. If medications are ineffective or the symptoms of fibroids interfere with daily life, surgery may be needed.

A myomectomy is used to remove only the fibroids from the affected area of the uterus. If there are a large number of fibroids present, a hysterectomy, which is the removal of the entire uterus, may be necessary.

Removal of the uterus renders the patient unable to bear children (as does removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes) and has surgical risks as well as long-term effects, so the surgery is normally recommended when other treatment options are not available or have failed. It is expected that the frequency of hysterectomies for non-malignant indications will fall as there are good alternatives in many cases. The video below shows how a large intramural fibroid was removed by Dr Vijayavel.