Fibroid

Uterine Fibroid Treatment in Turkey: Expert Care for Pain and Infertility

What are uterine fibroids? Learn about symptoms like heavy bleeding and pain. Discover medical and surgical treatment options, including laparoscopic myomectomy, with Dr. Cengiz Andan in Istanbul.

Benign but Not to Be Ignored: Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids (Leiomyomas), commonly referred to simply as fibroids, are benign tumors originating from the muscle layer of the uterus. They are the most frequently diagnosed condition in gynecology clinics. Statistics show that 1 in 4 women of reproductive age and nearly half of women over 40 have fibroids.

The word “tumor” often scares patients with thoughts of cancer. However, at Dr. Cengiz Andan’s Clinic, we reassure our patients immediately: Fibroids are non-cancerous growths. The risk of a fibroid turning into cancer (sarcoma) is extremely low (less than 0.5%).

However, just because they are not cancer doesn’t mean they are harmless. Depending on their location and size, they can cause serious bleeding, severe pain, and infertility. On this page, you will find information about the signals fibroids send to your body, when intervention is necessary, and modern, uterus-preserving treatment approaches.

1. Symptoms: What is Your Body Telling You?

Fibroids can grow silently or cause loud symptoms that disrupt your quality of life. Symptoms depend entirely on the fibroid’s location:

• Submucosal Fibroids (Growing Into the Cavity): The most symptomatic group. They grow just under the inner lining of the uterus. They distort the uterine lining, causing excessive heavy bleeding, prolonged periods, and bleeding between periods. Patients often present with severe anemia. They can also cause miscarriage or infertility by occupying space needed for the baby.
• Intramural Fibroids (Within the Muscle Wall): The most common type. They grow within the muscular wall of the uterus. They enlarge the uterus, causing severe menstrual cramps and a feeling of abdominal bloating or heaviness.
• Subserosal Fibroids (Growing Outward): These grow on the outside of the uterus. They usually don’t cause bleeding but can become very large. They press on surrounding organs, causing frequent urination (pressure on the bladder), constipation (pressure on the bowel), or back pain.

2. Diagnosis and Monitoring: Does Every Fibroid Need Surgery?

Diagnosis is usually straightforward with a simple gynecological exam and Ultrasound. We measure the size, number, and distance of the fibroid to the uterine lining. For multiple or complex fibroids, an MRI may be requested.

Dr. Andan’s fundamental rule is: “Treat the patient, not the fibroid.”

If a fibroid is small (e.g., 2-3 cm), not causing bleeding or pain, and not in a location that hinders pregnancy, surgery is not needed. These patients are monitored with ultrasound every 6 months. As estrogen levels drop approaching menopause, these fibroids are expected to shrink on their own.

However, treatment is mandatory if:

• The uterus reaches the size of a 3-month pregnancy.
• Bleeding cannot be controlled with medication.
• The fibroid grows rapidly.
• It causes infertility or recurrent miscarriage.

3. Advanced Treatment Options: Medication vs. Surgery

There is no “one size fits all” in fibroid treatment; planning is personalized.

Medical (Drug) Therapy:

There is no drug that completely eliminates fibroids. However, hormonal medications (GnRH analogues) or hormonal IUDs can be used to stop bleeding, manage pain, or shrink the fibroid temporarily before surgery. These offer temporary solutions.

Surgical Treatment:

The definitive solution is removal.

• Hysteroscopy: For fibroids growing inside the cavity (submucosal), they are shaved off through the vagina without any incision.
• Laparoscopic Myomectomy: Fibroids inside the abdomen are removed via keyhole surgery, preserving the uterus.
• Open Surgery: Rarely preferred, only for extremely large or very numerous fibroids.
• Hysterectomy (Uterus Removal): Considered a last resort for patients who have completed their family and seek a definitive solution.

Dr. Cengiz Andan offers advanced diagnostic and surgical solutions for Adenomyosis in Istanbul, combining uterus-sparing techniques with world-class medical care for international patients.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can fibroids turn into cancer?

Answer: Classic fibroids are benign and do not turn into cancer. However, a rare cancer called “Leiomyosarcoma” can mimic a fibroid. If a mass grows rapidly, especially in a menopausal woman, careful evaluation and surgery are required.

2. Do herbal cures eliminate fibroids?

Answer: There is no medically proven herbal cure that destroys fibroids. In fact, some herbs with estrogen-like effects can make them grow larger. It is important not to waste time with unproven treatments without consulting your doctor, as this may allow the fibroid to grow beyond the limits of minimally invasive surgery.

3. Can I get pregnant with a fibroid?

Answer: Yes, many women conceive with fibroids. However, the location matters. Fibroids that distort the inner cavity increase the risk of miscarriage or infertility. Pre-pregnancy evaluation is highly recommended.

4. Will my uterus be removed if I have surgery?

Answer: Dr. Cengiz Andan prioritizes “Organ-Preserving Surgery.” Our goal is always to perform a Myomectomy (removing only the fibroid) and leave the uterus in place. Hysterectomy is only considered for life-threatening bleeding or upon the patient’s request after childbearing is complete.

5. Do fibroids grow back after surgery?

Answer: Fibroid formation has a genetic component. Even if existing fibroids are cleaned out, since the uterine tissue remains, there is a 10-20% chance of new fibroids developing within 5 years. This risk ends after menopause.