[Neglected case of uterine leiomyoma--case report]

Uterine leimyomas are the most common gynaecologacal tumors and represent 30% of all benign gynecological tumors. The vast majority of leiomyomas are asymptomatic and do not need to be treated. Pelvic pain and abnormal uterine bleeding should be considered as the most important reasons for surgical treatment of uterine fibroids.

A female patient, age 69, was treated at the Institute of Oncology in Sremska Kamenica because of a huge abdominal tumor. Major symptoms were increased body temperature, abnormal uterine bleeding and extensive abdominal enlargement. After the clinical, laboratory and imaging evaluation, the offered hysterectomy was performed. The evacuated tumor was 18 kg heavy and 40 cm in length. The pathohystological diagnosis was leiomyoma per magnum. The patient was released after 11 days of hospitalization without any postoperative complications and in good general condition.

Uterine fibroids can be managed medically and surgically. Hysterectomy should be performed in every case with dominant symptoms like abnormal uterine bleeding, tumor growth and increasing abdominal pain (when other causes are excluded) in postmenopausal women. This particular case is an example of low general and health culture of the reported patient and maybe caused by fear from medical and surgical treatment. Sometimes, making a diagnosis of the nature of pelvic tumor is very hard, but by respecting diagnostic procedure an adequate treatment of those patients can be ensured.