PROINFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES IN THE PATHOGENESIS AND STROMAL REMODELING OF UTERINE LEIOMYOMAS

Abstract

Uterine leiomyomas/fibroids (leiomyomas, UFs) represent the most prevalent benign tumors of the female reproductive system and constitute a major cause of menorrhagia, pelvic pain, anemia, reduced quality of life, and infertility among women of reproductive age. According to recent reviews, by the age of 50, ultrasound or histological evidence of fibroids is found in approximately 70% of women, with a prevalence exceeding 80% in African American women at the time of menopause [43]. The incidence of uterine fibroids increases with age, particularly in the 35–49-year age group [49, 24].