Myomatous erythrocytosis syndrome

Natl Med J India. 2005 Sep-Oct;18(5):247-9.

Abstract

Uterine myomas are common but erythrocytosis caused by these is rarely seen. We report a case that illustrates the conjunction of various aetiological factors required for this clinical entity to evolve. A voluminous, retroperitoneally located and focally degenerated myoma was associated with severe secondary erythrocytosis (haematocrit: 65.5%) which resolved after hysterectomy. It has been demonstrated previously that myomatous tissue is the source of excessive production of erythropoietin. Local tissue hypoxia, which is more prone to develop in a pedunculated myoma, stimulates the process. Other prerequisites are a very large size of the myoma and the absence of menometrorrhagia of a severity such as to cause a depletion in iron reserves.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Erythropoietin / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Leiomyoma / diagnosis*
  • Leiomyoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Polycythemia / diagnosis*
  • Polycythemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Receptors, Erythropoietin / metabolism*
  • Syndrome
  • Ultrasonography
  • Uterine Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Receptors, Erythropoietin
  • Erythropoietin