Author/Authors :
Sparic, Radmila Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics - Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia , Mirkovic, Ljiljana Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics - Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia , Malvasi, Antonio Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology- Santa Maria Hospital, Bari, Italy , Tinelli, Andrea International Translational Medicine and Biomodelling Research Group Department of Applied Mathematics-Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Moscow Region, Russia
Abstract :
Myomas are the most common benign tumors of the genital organs in women of
childbearing age, causing significant morbidity and impairing their quality of life.
In our investigation, we have reviewed the epidemiological data related to the development
of myomas in order to homogenize the current data. Therefore, a MEDLINE
and PubMed search, for the years 1990-2013, was conducted using a combination
of keywords, such as "myoma," "leiomyoma," "fibroids," "myomectomy," "lifestyle,"
"cigarette," "alcohol," "vitamins," "diet," and "hysterectomy". Randomized
controlled studies were selected based upon the authors’ estimation. Peer-reviewed
articles examining myomas were sorted by their relevance and included in this research.
Additional articles were also identified from the references of the retrieved
papers and included according to authors’ estimation.
Many epidemiologic factors are linked to the development of myomas; however,
many are not yet fully understood. These factors include age, race, heritage, reproductive
factors, sex hormones, obesity, lifestyle (diet, caffeine and alcohol consumption,
smoking, physical activity and stress), environmental and other influences,
such as hypertension and infection. Some of the epidemiological data is conflicting.
Thus, more research is needed to understand all the risk factors that contribute to
myoma formation and how they exactly influence their onset and growth.
