Benign Uterine Growths
(Growths Of The Womb)
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Previous Contributing Medical Author:
Carolyn J. Crandall, MD, MS,
FACP
What are uterine growths?
Uterine growths are tissue enlargements of the female womb (uterus). Uterine
growths can be caused by either harmless or dangerous conditions. Growths are
sometimes referred to medically as masses or tumors. An example of a harmless
(benign or non-cancerous) growth, which does not pose a threat, is a polyp of
the cervix. Some growths, such as
uterine fibroids, are benign, but they can
still cause some annoying problems, such as bleeding. Other dangerous growths of
the uterus include cancerous (malignant) growths.
While the majority of uterine growths are benign, cancers of the uterus do
occur. This article will discuss the benign conditions that cause uterine
growths or masses. Benign growths, or non-cancerous, growths include uterine
fibroids, adenomyosis, and uterine polyps. For information about cancer of the
uterus, please see the Uterine Cancer article.
Anatomy
The uterus (or womb) is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that is located in a
woman's lower abdomen between the bladder and the rectum. The narrow, lower
portion of the uterus is the cervix; the broader, upper part is known as the
corpus. The cervix forms the transition between the uterus and the vagina. The
vagina, or birth canal, connects the uterus to the outside of the body.
Uterine Fibroids
Next: What are uterine fibroids? »
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