Clinical Presentation of Uterine Leiomyoma in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto (UDUTH), Nigeria: A 10 Year Review

Abstract

Uterine leiomyoma is a benign tumour which is non-cancerous from smooth muscle tissue that develops from smooth muscle layer (myometrium) from the uterus. Uterine leiomyoma is the greatest of all leiomyoma affecting uterine smooth muscle as well as the greatest benign tumour for women. It is basically found at the period of middle as well as the late  reproductive age. The rate of occurrence of uterine leiomyoma in the general population is not well understood. Evidences from clinical and epidemiological researches showed that the chances of uterine leiomyoma developing in Black women are higher compared to White women.  A ten years retrospective study was conducted at the Histopathology Department, of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto (UDUTH), from 2003 to 2012. A review of case records of patients with a diagnosis of uterine leiomyoma was done. The data were analyzed and presented in tables using comparative percentages. The photomicrographs were snapped and presented. From the year 2010 the prevalence of uterine leiomyoma in UDUTH is increasing, 2011 has the highest percentage of uterine leiomyoma (17.19%) followed by 2012 (16.67%). The result of this study shows that women within the 30-39 years age group  has the highest percentage of uterine leiomyoma (36.39%) followed by 40-49 (28.39%). From this result it shows that intramural uterine leiomyoma occurred more with (69.01%) followed by Submucosal (24.74%) among the variant uterine leiomyoma. Uterine leiomyomas are the commonest benign tumours in women, with a higher preponderance amongst Africans. Several etiological factors have been suggested, with subtle variations in clinical presentation being reported in different studies. This may constitute a determinant for the management measures undertaken. An effective awareness/screening, sensitisation of women to report early for assessment of such illnesses is advocated. Also, training of staff to enable centres offer the newest techniques to the patients should be encouraged.