The levels of proinflammatory cytokines, namely IL-1 alpha, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were determined in blood serum of 26 women with uterine myomas and in 20 healthy controls. A significantly elevated concentration of IL-1 alpha was found in patients with uterine myomas. Levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were insignificantly higher in women with myomas. The obtained results indicate the possible role of IL-1 alpha in the pathogenesis of uterine myomas--further studies are needed to elucidate the role of proinflammatory cytokines in the proliferative disorders of myometrium.