title: Biomarkers in uterine leiomyoma.
abstract: Biomarkers are biologic compounds that are easily accessible and reflect normal physiology or pathology. They are useful in a variety of clinical situations that involve detection of subclinical disease, risk stratification, preoperative planning, and monitoring treatment. A useful intervention needs to exist for a biomarker to be an effective tool. Many compounds have been investigated as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and surveillance of uterine leiomyomas. Most of these compounds demonstrate subtle differences among patients when leiomyomas are compared with controls. The compounds investigated lack the diagnostic accuracy necessary to add any benefit to the current available modalities used to diagnose and monitor uterine leiomyomas.
authors.affiliation: Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1109, USA.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Micah J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Torie C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Plowden
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Catherino
authors.forename: Alicia Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor