Volume change of uterine myomas during pregnancy: do myomas really grow?
OBJECTIVE
To estimate changes in uterine myoma volume during pregnancy.


METHODS
Review of departmental electronic perinatal database and medical records. Canadian Task Force Classification II-3.


METHODS
Obstetrical ultrasound unit in an academic tertiary care center.


METHODS
One hundred-seven patients diagnosed with uterine myomas during pregnancy and who had two or more obstetrical ultrasounds in different periods of pregnancy.


METHODS
We analyzed the change in volume of uterine myomas between the first half of pregnancy (up until 19 weeks), third quarter (20-30 weeks), and last quarter (31 weeks to term). The volume of largest uterine myoma was calculated using the formula Volume (mm3)=Pi/6x(length mm)x(width mm)x(height mm).


RESULTS
The mean age of the population was 31+/-6 years. Between the first and the second study periods, the percentage of uterine myomas that decreased in size was 55.1% (95% CI: 43-66), with a mean decrease in volume of 35%+/-4%; while the percentage of uterine myomas that enlarged was 44.9% (95% CI: 34-56), with a mean increase in volume of 69%+/-11%. Between the second and the third study periods, 75% (95% CI: 56-87) became smaller, with a mean decrease in volume of 30%+/-3%; while 25% (95% CI: 13-43) enlarged, with a mean increase in volume of 102%+/-62%.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to common belief, we found that uterine myomas commonly decrease in volume over the course of pregnancy.
Hammoud
Ahmad O
AO
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. ahmad.hammoud@hsc.utah.edu
Asaad
Radwan
R
Berman
Jay
J
Treadwell
Marjorie C
MC
Blackwell
Sean
S
Diamond
Michael P
MP
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D047368:Tumor Burden; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*