Uterine leiomyoma causing menometrorrhagia with a concomitant mature teratoma in a 15-year-old child: a case report and review of the literature

Submucous leiomyoma: an uncommon cause of heavy menstrual bleeding in early adolescence

Uterine leiomyomas are rare in the paediatric population. This report describes a rare case of a submucous leiomyoma in an adolescent girl. The patient presented with a history of abnormal and painful period which was refractory to medical treatment. Sonographic findings revealed a uterine mass that protruded through the cervix until the upper third of the vagina. A hysteroscopic resection was performed, and a pathological examination confirmed a leiomyoma. 12 months after surgery, there were no signs of recurrence. Conservative sparing-fertility management, such as hysteroscopic resection, is the best option with a type 0 submucosal fibroid, especially in adolescents and young women.

Uterine Fibroid in a 16-Year-Old Adolescent Managed with a Fertility-Sparing Approach: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumor of the uterus in adult women. However, it is exceedingly rare in adolescents.

CASE

A 16-year-old girl presented with severe anemia and abnormal uterine bleeding. MRI of the pelvis demonstrated a 9-cm mass within the uterus concerning for leiomyoma or leiomyosarcoma. A fertility preserving myomectomy led to the final diagnosis of a benign uterine fibroid.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Despite the rare incidence of leiomyomas in adolescents, it is imperative that it is included in the differential diagnosis when young women present with abnormal uterine bleeding. A less common diagnosis to consider is leiomyosarcoma; however, this is histologically diagnosed. Thus, a fertility-preserving myomectomy permits for a diagnostic opportunity to rule out a potential malignancy.

Disorders of Menstruation in Adolescent Girls

Abnormal menstruation in adolescent girls can cause psychological and physical strain from excess, unpredictable, painful, or even absent bleeding. Care providers who understand what is normal and what is concerning can educate and often reassure the young woman and her family. When there is an abnormal or concerning scenario, they can initiate investigations and/or treatment in an expedient fashion to limit psychosocial and/or physical morbidity. This article provides pediatricians, family doctors, nurse practitioners, and adult gynecologists with the knowledge and understanding of the common complaints, differential diagnoses, and treatment strategies.

Presentation and treatment of uterine leiomyoma in adolescence: a systematic review

Background

Uterine leiomyoma is the most common gynecological tumor in the reproductive years. However, it is extremely rare in adolescence (<1%), with few reports found in the literature. The biological behavior of such tumors in this age group is unknown, as well as the best possible treatment for this population. We aimed to analyze all available reports of uterine leiomyoma in adolescence.

Methods

A systematic review was performed at PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE. Between 1965 and 2014, 19 reports were found on uterine leiomyoma in patients under 18 years. The following parameters were discussed: age, tumor diameter, symptoms, clinical treatments, surgical treatments, hemodynamic changes.

Results

Mean age was 15.35 (14–17) years. Mean tumor diameter was 12.28 cm (3–30) and median diameter was 10 cm. Most patients presented with symptoms (87.5%), including abnormal uterine bleeding (10/18) and pelvic/abdominal pain (6/18). A pelvic mass was the most common finding. Two patients required transfusion due to anemia. One patient underwent abdominal hysterectomy, and the others underwent myomectomy. Mean follow-up was 1 year and 8 months, and only case recurred, after 6 months.

Conclusion

Leiomyomas’ biologic behavior in adolescents may be different from that of older women, but their molecular characteristics still haven’t been analyzed. Optimal treatment is still not defined, but myomectomy has several advantages in this population. Leiomyomas must be remembered as an important differential diagnosis of pelvic mass in adolescents.