10.7kg fibroid removed from 32-year-old woman's uterus in UAE

Abu Dhabi - The benign mass was detected during a medical examination at the women’s health centre of the hospital.

A giant fibroid, weighing 10.7kg, was removed from a woman’s uterus by gynaecology consultants at Corniche Hospital. The benign mass was detected during a medical examination at the women’s health centre of the hospital.

The 32-year-old Emirati woman had been experiencing symptoms such as delayed and irregular menstruation cycles, pronounced abdominal protrusion, and difficulty in both breathing and mobility, for over four years.

She had initially consulted a clinic, where the doctors recommended hysterectomy, which means the removal of the uterus. However, the woman decided to get a second opinion and subsequently went to the women’s health centre and consulted Dr Fatma Al Hajeri, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist.

Dr Al Hajeri reviewed the case and explained to her that she would need to undergo a procedure for the removal of the fibroid only.

Last year, a similar surgery was performed by the hospital's experts, involving the removal of 94 fibroids of varying sizes from a patient’s uterus. The fibroids led to issues with conception, and the surgery was part of the patient’s pregnancy management plan.

Linda Clark, chief executive officer, Corniche Hospital, said: “The hospital in November got a new accreditation as a Centre of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynaecology by the American Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), which accredits the top hospitals, surgeons and health professionals worldwide that meet their proven standards. This type of surgery uses less invasive techniques to surgically treat a wide range of gynaecologic conditions. It is associated with no or smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stay and fewer complications.

“The accreditation means that Corniche Hospital has met nationally and internationally recognised standards. This seal reinforces the hospital’s commitment to excellence and to serving the women of Abu Dhabi.”

Dr Al Hajeri said: “We urge women to seek immediate medical attention and consult their doctor, if they experience symptoms such as persistent pelvic pain, heavy or prolonged or painful periods, spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods, difficulty emptying the bladder, or unexplained anemia”.

In-line with the Cervical Health Awareness month, she reinforced that it is also essential for women between the ages of 21 and 65 to get screened for cervical cancer on a routine basis. “Cervical cells can mutate into cancerous cells within three to seven years. So, there is ample time available to detect, treat and even prevent cervical cancer, through routine screening and getting vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV), which is a known cause of cervical cancer.”

What is uterine fibroid?

Uterine fibroids are benign tumours found in the uterus, which usually appear during a woman’s childbearing years. They range in size from small, microscopic lumps to giant lumps that can deform and enlarge the uterus. Furthermore, fibroids can appear in singles or multiples – and in severe cases, fibroids may expand and grow out of the uterus, reaching the rib cage and exerting pressure on the neighbouring organs.

Many women affected by uterine fibroids do not exhibit any symptoms, and the most common symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual periods lasting longer than a week, pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination, difficulty in emptying the bladder, and constipation.

Uterine fibroids are neither cancerous nor life-threatening. Most women do not exhibit any symptoms but may experience some form of discomfort. In addition, fibroids can lead to complications or adverse conditions such as haemoglobin deficiency – anaemia, which causes fatigue due to heavy blood loss.

Depending on their size and location in the uterus, fibroids can impact the ability to conceive. They can also increase the risk of complications during pregnancy such as restriction of foetal growth and induce early labour.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com