They are rarely malignant. Fibroids are present in over 20 percent of women 30 years or older. The most common indication for hysterectomy is fibroids. In fact, they account for 30 percent of all hysterectomies. They can be a cause of irregular uterine bleeding and pain.
Some fibroids become quite large and distort uterine anatomy significantly.
If an intrauterine filling defect is noted, further work up is required. Ultrasound can demonstrate the location, size and often level of invasion of a fibroid into the intrauterine cavity. Saline infusion sonography is often helpful in detecting submucosal fibroids and polyps. Endometrial polyps can usually be differentiated from fibroids by evaluation. Hysteroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat submucosal fibroids and polyps.