Which term describes noncancerous uterine growths that can develop during a woman's reproductive years?

• A. Uterine fibroids
• B. Ovarian cysts
• C. Endometriosis
• D. Uterine polyps

Answer: (A)

Conceptually, this asks for a benign growth that originates in the uterus and commonly appears during a woman's reproductive years. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors of the uterine muscle (the myometrium) that can develop in that time frame. They can vary in size and number and may cause symptoms like heavy menstrual bleeding or pelvic pressure, though many women have no symptoms. This makes fibroids the best descriptor for noncancerous uterine growths during reproductive years.

Ovarian cysts occur on the ovaries, not the uterus. Endometriosis involves endometrium-like tissue growing outside the uterus. Uterine polyps are benign growths on the lining inside the uterus but arise from the endometrium rather than the muscular wall of the uterus, so they describe a different location and tissue origin.