Gene Mutations Contribute to Fibroid Development

UPMC

Mutations in a regulatory gene are present in two-thirds of uterine fibroids, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI). Their findings shed light on the pathways that allow the noncancerous tumors to develop. Fibroids can cause heavy bleeding, anemia, pain and infertility. They affect a quarter of all women, and are the most common cause of hysterectomy in the United States, said senior author Aleksandar Rajkovic, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Pitt School of Medicine, and MWRI investigator. Learn more at http://bit.ly/wPAwWh.