Uterine fibroid: Meaning in a Radiology Report

A uterine fibroid is a benign (non-cancerous) growth of muscle in the wall of the uterus. Fibroids are very common and often cause no symptoms.

What it means

Fibroids grow from the smooth muscle of the uterus. There may be one or many, from a few millimeters to over 10 cm. Reports name them by position: subserosal (bulging outward), intramural (within the wall) or submucosal (pushing into the lining). On ultrasound they usually look round and darker, sometimes with stripes of shadow. Older ones may contain calcium or show signs of breaking down (degeneration).

When it matters

Fibroids are very common, especially from the 30s until menopause, and many need no treatment. They matter when they cause heavy or painful periods, pressure on the bladder or bowel, or fertility problems, which are more likely with submucosal fibroids. They usually shrink after menopause. A fibroid that grows after menopause gets a closer look. Your doctor may suggest watching, medicine or a procedure, depending on your symptoms.

Questions to ask your doctor

Where are my fibroids, and does any push into the uterine lining?
Could the fibroids explain my heavy or painful periods?
Do they need follow-up scans to check their size?

General information, not medical advice. What a finding means for you depends on your symptoms, your history and the images themselves, so talk your results through with a doctor.