Uterine Fibroids Types
There are four main types of fibroids:
- Intramural fibroids
- Subserosal fibroids
- Pedunculated fibroids
- Submucosal fibroids
If you are experiencing any symptoms of uterine fibroids then it is important to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis of the condition. Typically, the doctors can diagnose the fibroids in your uterus by doing a pelvic ultrasound and examination. The doctors can feel the shape and size of the uterus in a routine pelvic examination. After the indication of any enlargement or irregularity in the size and shape of the uterus during the pelvic examination, the doctor will then characterize the location of the fibroids in the uterus. The characterization of fibroids into these four types depends on where they are growing in relation to the uterine wall and the uterus as well through detailed scanning of the uterus. Following is the description of these four types of fibroids: [6]
Intramural fibroids
Intramural fibroids are the type of uterine fibroids that grow inside the wall of the uterus and remain within the uterine wall the whole time of their growth cycle. Intramural fibroids are the most commonly occurring type of uterine fibroids in a majority of the women. In addition, intramural fibroids develop on the muscular wall of the uterus and have the ability to press against the organs present around the uterus. Intramural fibroids can grow bigger in size in a very short duration and can expand the size of the uterus.
Subserosal fibroids
Subserosal fibroids specifically grown and stay on the outer surface of the uterine wall. The outer lining of the uterus where subserosal fibroids grow is known as the serous membrane or serosa which lines the body cavity and the inside of the organs. The subserosal fibroids have the ability of growing big enough so that they can make the lower part of the abdomen look bigger from the outer side.
Pedunculated fibroids
Pedunuculated fibroids are the type of uterine fibroids that grow on stems or stalks. These stalks or stems cling to the uterine wall and can increase in number either within the uterine cavity or on the outer surface of the uterus. After a subserol fibroid turn into a stem it initiates the formation of pedunculated fibroids. The pedunculated fibroids then turn into a base which can support the tumor growth in the future. The conversion of stem cells into a pedunculated fibroid base can further promote the growth of the pedunculated fibroids.
Submucosal fibroids
Submucosal fibroids grow in the submucosal region of the uterus which is present just below the thin layer of tissue in the uterus. Submucosal type of fibroids can expand and protrude extensively into the cavity of the uterus. The doctors define the submucosal fibroids as the most chronic and rapidly growing fibroids among all types. Despite their dangers, submucosal fibroids are one of the rarely occurring types of uterine fibroids. Moreover, the submucosal fibroids tend to grow in the middle layer of muscle i.e., the endometrium in the uterus.