Are Uterine Fibroids Cancerous?

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are muscular growths that develop in the wall of the uterus. They are also known by their medical name, leiomyomas. These growths are very common, especially in women during their childbearing years. Many women will have fibroids at some point in their lives, but not all will have symptoms or even know they are there.

The most important thing to know about uterine fibroids is that they are benign. “Benign” is a medical term that means noncancerous. These growths will not spread to other parts of your body. They are simply clumps of muscle tissue that have grown in a place where they are not supposed to be.

Types of Growths in the Uterus

It helps to understand that there are different kinds of growths that can appear in the uterus. They fall into two main categories: benign and malignant.

Benign Tumours: Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids, or leiomyomas, are the most common type of benign tumour in the female reproductive system. They are made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous tissue from the uterus wall. Fibroids can be as small as a seed or grow to be as large as a melon. Depending on their size and location, they may cause symptoms like heavy periods or pelvic pressure, but they are not a threat to your life.

Malignant Tumours: Leiomyosarcoma

In very rare cases, a cancerous tumour can grow in the muscle of the uterus. This type of cancer is called a leiomyosarcoma. Unlike a fibroid, a leiomyosarcoma is a malignant tumour. This means it is cancer and can grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs. It is crucial to remember that this type of cancer is extremely rare.

A common question is whether a benign fibroid can turn into a leiomyosarcoma. The current medical thinking is that this does not happen. Leiomyosarcomas are believed to be a separate type of growth from the very beginning. They are not old fibroids that have changed into cancer. They are a different kind of tumour altogether.

How Often Are Fibroids Cancerous?

The chance of a growth thought to be a uterine fibroid actually being a cancerous leiomyosarcoma is incredibly small. Statistics show that this occurs in fewer than 1 in 1,000 cases. This means that for every thousand women who have fibroids, less than one will have a cancerous growth instead.

Because leiomyosarcoma is so rare, doctors do not routinely test every fibroid for cancer. The odds are overwhelmingly in favour of the growth being a benign fibroid. This is why a “watch and wait” approach is often recommended for women who have fibroids but no troubling symptoms.

Symptoms and How Doctors Diagnose the Problem

The symptoms of a benign fibroid can sometimes be similar to those of a cancerous leiomyosarcoma, which can cause confusion. However, there are often subtle differences that can guide a doctor.

Typical Fibroid Symptoms

If fibroids cause symptoms, they often include:

• Heavy or long-lasting menstrual periods
• Bleeding between periods
• Pelvic pain or a feeling of pressure in the lower belly
• Frequent urination or difficulty emptying the bladder
• Constipation
• Backache or leg pains

These symptoms usually develop slowly over time as the fibroids grow.

Symptoms That Might Suggest Cancer

A cancerous leiomyosarcoma might present with slightly different signs. Doctors may become more suspicious of cancer if:

• The uterine growths are growing very rapidly, especially after menopause.
• A woman experiences unexpected bleeding after menopause.
• Symptoms like pelvic pain are severe and get worse quickly.

It’s important to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms, but remember that even these signs do not automatically mean you have cancer. They just mean your doctor will want to investigate more closely.

How Doctors Diagnose the Issue

Diagnosing uterine growths usually starts with a simple, painless procedure.

• Ultrasound: This is the most common tool used to find fibroids. It uses sound waves to create a picture of your uterus. An ultrasound can show the size and location of the fibroids.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): If an ultrasound doesn’t provide a clear enough picture, an MRI may be used. This test uses magnets and radio waves to create very detailed images. An MRI can sometimes help a doctor better distinguish between a fibroid and a rare leiomyosarcoma.
• Biopsy: The only way to know for sure if a growth is cancer is with a biopsy. This involves taking a small sample of the tissue and looking at it under a microscope. For uterine growths, a biopsy is usually done after the growth is removed during surgery.

Risk Factors and Common Myths

Many women worry that something they did caused their fibroids or that their lifestyle puts them at risk for them becoming cancerous. It’s helpful to separate the facts from the myths.

Risk Factors for Fibroids

The risk factors for developing benign fibroids are linked to hormones and genetics, not cancer. You may be more likely to have fibroids if:

• You have a family history (your mother or sister had them).
• You are of African descent.
• You are overweight.
• Your periods started at a very young age.

Having these risk factors does not mean your fibroids are more likely to be cancerous. They only mean you are more likely to develop benign fibroids.

Common Myths

• Myth: Fibroids will turn into cancer if left untreated.
  Fact: Fibroids are almost always benign and stay that way. A rare leiomyosarcoma is considered a separate type of growth from the start.
• Myth: All uterine growths need to be removed to prevent cancer.
  Fact: Because the risk of cancer is so low, most fibroids that don’t cause problems can be safely left alone and monitored.

If you have concerns about your fertility due to fibroids, a Fertility Specialist in Hyderabad can provide expert guidance on how they might affect your ability to have a baby.

Treatment and Follow-Up

The treatment for uterine growths depends entirely on whether they are benign fibroids or a suspected malignancy.

Managing Benign Fibroids

If you have fibroids that are not causing any problems, your doctor may suggest simply watching them. If you have symptoms, treatment options include:

• Medications: To help control heavy bleeding and pain.
• Minimally Invasive Procedures: To shrink or remove fibroids without major surgery.
• Surgery: To remove the fibroids (myomectomy) or the entire uterus (hysterectomy) in more severe cases.

The team at Fertility Hospital in Hyderabad can help you explore all available options for managing fibroid symptoms while considering your future family-planning goals.

What Happens if Cancer is Suspected?

If there is a strong suspicion of leiomyosarcoma, the treatment plan is very different. The standard approach is surgery to remove the uterus, and sometimes the fallopian tubes and ovaries as well. This is a major operation, which is why doctors are careful to recommend it only when truly necessary. Further treatment, like chemotherapy, may be needed depending on the stage of the cancer.

Conclusion

The fear that uterine fibroids might be cancerous is understandable, but the reality is very reassuring. Fibroids are extremely common and almost always benign. The type of cancer that can be mistaken for a fibroid, leiomyosarcoma, is incredibly rare.

Most women with fibroids can live their lives without any major health problems from them. If you do have symptoms, there are many effective treatments available. Regular check-ups with your doctor and open communication about your symptoms will ensure you get the right care. If you have been diagnosed with fibroids, you can feel confident that you are not dealing with cancer. For specialised care and peace of mind, the experts at Mamata Fertility Hospital in Hyderabad are here to help guide you through your health journey.