Fibroids: diagnosis and management

#### The bottom line Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are the most common benign tumours in women. They may be single or multiple and their size varies from a few millimetres to 30 cm or more. By age 50 nearly 70% of white women and more than 80% of black women have had at least one fibroid.1 Box 1 lists the several risk factors for fibroids. Symptomatic fibroids are often managed surgically, and this confers a considerable burden on healthcare costs.2 This review aims to update non-specialists on the investigation and management of fibroids. Gaps in current knowledge are highlighted. #### Sources and selection criteria The literature search used a combination of MeSH, text words, and appropriate word variants of "fibroids" and "leiomyoma". We searched Medline and Embase, Cochrane Reviews, personal references and reference lists in general articles on uterine fibroids. Searching was limited to publications in English and to studies in women and we have included reference to evidence based guidelines, such as those by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence. #### Box 1 Risk factors for uterine fibroids