Definition of 12 cm please...

Hello everyone,
When someone says "12 cm fibroid", does it mean 12 cm circumference or 12 cm diameter?

This week when I went to my GYN for a checkup, he seemed quite surprised when he felt my uterus. He said that I had a very large uterine fibroid and that I needed surgery. He said that it would most likely be a vertical incision because it was so large. This was a complete surprise to me, but hind sight is 20/20, a lot of symptoms now fall into place for me. He is a very well respected, conservative doctor in our community and I trust him implicitly.
I am having a lot of testing done this coming Wednesday to see what we are really dealing with. So I was just wondering how the fibroids are measured.

Thanks,
PinkTulip

Hi PinkTulip,

I had two fibroids - 6.5 cm and 8.5 cm. When I had my ultrasound, it seemed like the technican took several measurements on each fibroid and I am not sure how she and my Dr got the exact size.

Here is a cm/inches calculator that might help you for now with the size:

http://www.manuelsweb.com/in_cm.htm

Also, you mentioned your Dr. suggested an abdominal surgery because of the size of the fibroid. He sounds like a good Dr. and I might suggest you get a 2nd or even a 3rd opinion before you go ahead with your hyst, just to verify his findings.

I got 2 opinions myself. My 1st Dr. wanted to do a TAH, due to the size of my fibroids and my 2nd Dr. suggested a laparoscopic hyst (LSH), after I did (3) months of lupron shots to shrink my fibroids enough for surgery. I decided a LSH was my best choice.

Here is a Hyster Sisters link that goes over the different types of hysts and questions to ask your Dr in pre-op:

https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/view_preop.htm

Sending best wishes~

Mary

I believe they measure the diameter to determine the size of the fibroids.

When I had my TAH, the doctors said I would probably have a T-shaped incision, because I was also having a panniculectomy (to remove some belly fat and skin) to make the abdomen more accessible. I was pleased to find that they were able to do the entire surgery with just one horizontal incision -- even though it was hip-to-hip because of the panniculectomy.

I'm glad you're taking the time to do lots of research. Keep in mind that there are many options for treatment of fibroids, and not all of them involve surgery. If you do need surgery, it may be possible to have a myonectomy (which would remove the fibroid but retain the uterus) and avoid a hysterectomy.

to you.

Thanks for the replies and advice ladies.

I have done nothing but read the posts here for 2 days, and it has given me invaluable support and knowledge for my upcoming journey. As I read the posts, I am making notes for everything and I sooooo appreciate hearing about each experience.

Thanks again and I will let you know what I find out.