Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous (benign) tumors that develop in the uterus. Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumor. As many as 1 in 5 women may have fibroids during their childbearing years (the time after starting menstruation for the first time and before menopause). Fibroids usually affect women over age 30. They are rare in women under 20, and often shrink and cause no symptoms in women who have gone through menopause. 1/4 women with fibroids have symptoms including pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, infertility, and complications with pregnancy. They are more common in African Americans than Caucasians. The cause of uterine fibroid tumors is unknown. However, fibroid growth seems to depend on the hormone estrogen, and cases tend to aggregate in families. As long as a woman with fibroids is menstruating, a fibroid will probably continue to grow, usually slowly.

[PMID 17121748] A study of 106 cases and 110 controls from Taiwan shows GG genotype at rs9340799 has 25.5 times the odds of uterine fibroids. They also show this snp to be associated with endometriosis.

[PMID 21460842] A study of 5000 cases and 4700 controls from Japan rs7913069 shows higher odds for developing uterine fibroids with the TT genotype (odds ratio =1.47).

[PMID 21460842] A study of 5000 cases and 4700 controls from Japan rs12484776 shows higher odds for developing uterine fibroids with the GG genotype (odds ratio =1.2). The snp is located within the TNRC6B gene. In this study, the AA genotype was shown to be slightly preventative, with an odds ratio of 0.8 compared to AG.

[PMID 21460842] A study of 5000 cases and 4700 controls from Japan rs2280543 shows lower odds for developing uterine fibroids with the TT genotype (odds ratio =1.39).