Fibroids occur 3 to 9 times more frequently in African-American women than in Caucasian women. It is possible for a single fibroid to develop although normally there are a number of them, which begin as small seedlings spread throughout the muscular walls of the uterus. They slowly enlarge and become more nodular, frequently intruding into the cavity of the uterus or growing out beyond the normal boundary of the uterus. Rarely, a fibroid will hang from a long stalk attached to the outside of the uterus. This is called a pedunculate fibroid.
Prevention is unknown.
Frequently, this diagnosis is reliable, however, on occasion, diagnosis is difficult, especially in obese women. Fibroid tumors have been mistaken for ovarian tumors, inflammatory processes of the tubes, and pregnancy . A transvaginal ultrasound or pelvic ultrasound is usually performed to confirm the findings. Treatment may consist of simply monitoring the fibroids, specifically their rate of growth, with periodic pelvic exams or ultrasound . This method is usually sufficient in pre menopausal women.