title: Short-term change in growth of uterine leiomyoma: tumor growth spurts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the short-term changes in growth of uterine leiomyomas (fibroids).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University research center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Premenopausal women with fibroids (18 blacks and 18 whites) recruited through a physician network and community outreach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  The volumes of 101 fibroids were measured at enrollment, 3, 6, and 12 months with magnetic resonance imaging, resulting in three interval-specific growth rates. Growth spurts were defined by interval growth rates≥30% per 3 months and substantially greater than during other intervals of observation. An overall measure of short-term change in fibroid growth was calculated as the variance of the three interval-specific growth rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Growth spurts were observed in 37 of the 101 fibroids, a prevalence nearly tenfold higher than that attributable to potential measurement error. Fibroids from the same woman did not have similar short-term growth, nor were woman-specific factors (age, race/ethnicity, parity, body mass) or the fibroid position in the uterus important. However, large fibroids (>5 cm diameter) had less short-term change than smaller fibroids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short spurts of growth are common for fibroids, suggesting that tumor biology may change rapidly.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Branch, Laboratory of Women's Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA. baird@niehs.nih.gov
authors.forename: Donna Day
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: Tiana A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: Shannon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Laughlin
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Semelka
authors.forename: Shyamal D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Peddada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000473:pathology*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate