Leiomyomas in adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To describe a rare finding of a large leiomyoma and recurrence in an adolescent.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Major academic medical center.

Patient(s): A 14-year-old gravida 0 presented with a 16-cm pelvic mass that was found to be an anterior uterine leiomyoma.

Intervention(s): Exploratory laparotomy with resection of leiomyoma followed by robotic myomectomy when the mass recurred.

Main outcome measure(s): The incidence, pathogenesis, fertility implications, and treatment options for leiomyomas in adolescents.

Result(s): Leiomyomas are rare in adolescents. The mass was resected and recurred within 1 year. There are no prior cases of recurrence in an adolescent.

Conclusion(s): Benign leiomyomas should be considered in adolescents presenting with uterine masses, as malignancies are even less common. Myomectomy is the procedure of choice to preserve fertility in this population.