Fibroids are tumors that develop in the wall of the uterus, and are almost always benign. Some women may develop no fibroids in their lifetime; some may develop a single fibroid. Others may actually develop many. Some fibroids are as small as apple seeds, while others can grow as large as grapefruit– or a baby.

When large fibroids do develop, they can cause a number of issues. Some women may suffer from abnormal menstrual bleeding, which can become so intense that women soak their sanitary protection in about an hour, and may even develop anemia. Other symptoms include pelvic discomfort and pain, bladder problems, abdominal swelling, and pain during intercourse.

There are several different fibroid treatments available today. Some women may just need to take birth control medicines and/or ibuprofen or another pain reliever to help them deal with their symptoms. The most common surgical procedure used to treat fibroids, however, is a hysterectomy, which removes the uterus.

The gigantic, 3.05 kilogram fibroid that was recently removed in the UAE was removed laparoscopically. In other words, there was no need for invasive surgery. Such methods keep blood loss and pain to a minimum, and reduce the duration of patients’ hospital stays. Plus, it affords women the chance to give birth.

“She was unmarried and was hence obviously looking at conserving her uterus for future childbearing,” explained Dr. Trehan. “[She] had visited many doctors, all of whom told her that a laparoscopic procedure was impossible [and that] even in the case of an open myomectomy [surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids] she may have to have her uterus removed.”