The Correct Term is Leiomyomas
The answer is C. Leiomyomas - this is the medical term used to identify benign uterine tumors that develop from smooth muscle cells in the myometrium and are commonly called uterine fibroids.
Definition and Terminology
Leiomyomas (also called fibroids or myomas) are benign smooth muscle cell tumors that originate from the myometrium 1. These represent benign sex steroid-responsive clonal expansions of individual smooth muscle cells from the uterine muscle layer 1, 2.
- The histology of leiomyomas is virtually indistinguishable from normal myometrium, with variable cellularity 1
- They are benign monoclonal tumors characterized by increased smooth muscle cell proliferation and collagen deposition 1
- These tumors grow in a spherical nodular fashion with distinct demarcation from surrounding normal myometrium, reflecting their clonal origin 1
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
Endometrial polyps (Option A) arise from the endometrial lining, not from myometrial smooth muscle cells - these are completely different structures with different tissue origins.
Myometrial polyps (Option B) is not a recognized medical term in gynecologic pathology.
Myometriomas (Option D) is not the correct terminology - this term is not used in standard medical nomenclature for uterine tumors.
Clinical Significance
- Leiomyomas are the most common benign tumors of the female genital tract and likely the most common soft-tissue tumors in the entire body 1, 2
- They occur in 20-50% of women over age 30, with incidence exceeding 80% in Black women and approaching 70% in White women by age 50 2
- These tumors should be considered benign in premenopausal women, though all specimens require careful pathologic examination 2