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Uterine fibroids. Endoscope view of fibroids, or fibromyomas, on the outer wall of the uterus. The uterus fills most of the field of view, and the fibroids are the growths deforming its normally smooth surface (one at upper centre, another at centre right). A fibroid is a benign tumour of fibrous and muscular tissue, these tissues being found in the wall of the uterus. Many women have small fibroids, and most do not require treatment. Some may cause bleeding, pain, premature birth, miscarriages and other gynaecological disorders. Treatment is with drugs to shrink the fibroids, or surgical removal of the fibroids or the uterus. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/CNRI)