Uterine fibroids typically regress after menopause. This behaviour is best explained by which property of leiomyomas?

• A They are derived from endometrial stromal cells that atrophy after menopause
• B They undergo obligate malignant transformation followed by regression
• C They are hormone dependent, requiring estrogen for maintenance of growth ✓
• D They depend on gonadotropins secreted by the pituitary

Explanation

Leiomyomas are clonal proliferations of smooth muscle whose growth is promoted by both estradiol and progesterone; they express higher levels of estrogen receptors than surrounding myometrium. With the hypoestrogenic state after menopause they shrink and symptoms abate, which is also the rationale behind GnRH agonist therapy producing temporary reduction. They are benign and do not require malignant transformation to regress, they arise from myometrium rather than endometrium, and their growth tracks steroid levels rather than pituitary gonadotropins.

Reference: Williams Gynecology, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.