Which of the following statements is true regarding uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are benign smooth muscle tumors of the uterus. The statement that they can be asymptomatic is correct because many women with fibroids experience no symptoms at all. In fact, it is common for uterine fibroids to be found incidentally during a pelvic examination or imaging studies conducted for other reasons.

While fibroids can cause symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure effects depending on their size and location, they do not always do so. Thus, it's important to acknowledge that many women may live with these fibroids without ever needing treatment. Understanding this aspect is crucial for managing patients with fibroids, as not every diagnosis warrants surgical intervention or treatment if the patient does not exhibit significant symptoms.

The other statements do not accurately reflect the nature of uterine fibroids. Some fibroids may indeed require surgical treatment, especially if they are causing significant symptoms or complications, but not all do. Fibroids are benign and not cancerous by nature, which debunks the assertion that they are always cancerous. Lastly, hormonal therapy can be effective in managing symptoms associated with fibroids, such as heavy menstrual bleeding, thus contradicting the notion that they do not respond to