Abstract
Objective: The natural growth progression of uterine leiomyomata will be studied and used to identify potential predictive criteria of myoma size development. This should answer the question of whether myoma growth is dependent on patient age, or on the localisation or original size of the myoma, as well as how much of a size increase can be expected per unit of time, and the proportion of myomata which shrink. Patients and Methods: Patient files of a myoma surgery from 2010 to 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. The following inclusion criteria applied: diagnosis of at least one, but not more than three myomata, a minimum of two consultations within three years, the performance of a transvaginal ultrasound to determine size, no pregnancy, and no medical or surgical myoma reduction measures. Only premenopausal patients were included in the analysis. Myoma volume was approximated using a formula similar to that used to calculate the volume of an ellipsoid. Results: 55 out of 102 patients (median age: 38 years), in which a total of 72 myomata were diagnosed, could be included in the evaluation. The median diameter of the myomata at the start of the study was 3.8 cm, with an average growth rate of 30 % over 6 months (range: - 46 to + 459 %). 15 % of the myomata regressed. The linear regression analysis showed a correlation between myoma growth over 6 months, the original size of the myoma (p = 0.023) and patient age (p = 0.038), but no connection was found to the localisation of the myoma. Smaller myomata decreased significantly more in size than larger myomata (p = 0.011). Older patients presented with larger myomata. Conclusions: Myomata demonstrate a strikingly large variation in size development. Their growth is highly individual and not ultimately predictable. Patients should be advised of the possibility of spontaneous myoma regression.