The Life Cycle of the Uterine Fibroid Myocyte

AbstractPurpose of ReviewUterine fibroids are common benign tumors of women in the USA and worldwide, yet the biological nature and pathogenesis of these tumors remain largely unknown. This review presents our view of the stages in the life cycle of a subset of uterine fibroid myocytes, introduces hypothetical concepts and morphological data to explain these changes, and relates these changes in individual myocytes to the phases of fibroid tumor development.Recent FindingsThe observations gained from light and electron microscopic, immunohistochemical, and morphometric studies in our laboratory have led to the hypothesis that fibroid changes over time may relate to the excessive production of collagen by phenotypically transformed myocytes. This accumulation of collagen results in decreased microvessel density, followed by myocyte injury and atrophy, with eventual senescence and involution through ischemic cellular degeneration and inanition.SummaryUterine leiomyomas, or fibroids, are characterized by two histologic features —proliferation of myocytes and production of an extracellular collagenous matrix. In the larger tumors, the collagenous matrix is often abundant. Within those regions in which the accumulating collagen is excessive, the myocytes are progressively separated from their blood supply, resulting in myo cyte atrophy and eventually cell death. It is within these hypocellular, hyalinized areas that the complete lifecycle of the fibroid myocyte is realized. It b...
Source: Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports - Category: OBGYN Source Type: research