Uterine fibroids (or myomas) are benign tumors that grow from the muscle layers of the womb. They can be as tiny as a fine particle and as big as melon in size. However, there are some people who believe fibroids or myomas can be cancerous. But, is it true? When is myoma cancerous? Read on to learn more.

Facts about fibroids

• Fibroids are also known as leiomyomas and myomas.
• This condition affects 20 to 80 per cent of women of age 50 years and over 30 per cent of women aged 35 years.
• Usually, fibroids develop between the age of 16 and 50 years.
• African-American women are more likely to develop fibroids than other racial groups.
• Most women do not experience symptoms of fibroids.

However, some women may experience certain symptoms. For many women having uterine fibroids, particularly of greater sizes, it can be difficult to live with it. If you experience symptoms of uterine fibroids, you should consult your doctor and get it treated.

Is myoma cancerous?

For those diagnosed or at risk of this condition, a common question is: Is myoma cancerous?

Almost always, fibroids are benign, meaning non-cancerous. Uterine fibroids are muscular growths in the wall of the uterus. They can cause difficulty due to their size, location, and pressure on the uterus and other organs.

However, they usually do not cause cancer or cancer-like symptoms. In very rare circumstances, uterine fibroids can turn cancerous.

So when is myoma cancerous? Experts believe that it is in less than 1 in 100 cases that a cancerous fibroid can occur.

Fibroids that turn cancerous are called leiomyosarcoma or uterine leiomyosarcoma. This condition is also called uterine leiomyoma. Uterine sarcoma is a very rare type of cancer that starts in the muscle and supporting tissues of the uterus.

What’s more, to better understand the answer to: when is myoma cancerous?, most doctors believe cancer does not develop from an already-existing fibroid. It might be the cancerous cells flowing around the fibroids that stick around the corners of fibroids and start growing.

WomensHealth.gov also has an answer to: is myoma cancerous? According to them, having fibroids does not increase a woman’s chances of having a cancerous fibroid nor does it increase the risk of getting other forms of cancer in the uterus.

Although it is said that fibroids do not cause cancer in women, it is your doctor who can guide you in the best ways and suggest what is suitable for you. Therefore, when you experience symptoms of fibroids, you should visit the doctor’s clinic and get it checked.

What happens in the case of a cancerous fibroid?

When is myoma cancerous and what should a woman do about it? If a fibroid is composed of cancer cells, it is a cancerous fibroid, or uterine leiomyosarcoma. This is a smooth muscle tumor that develops from the muscular part of the uterus.

According to experts, a uterine leiomyosarcoma may develop in approximately one to five women with fibroids out of 1,000. In comparison with benign uterine fibroids, cancerous fibroids can grow very fast and can easily spread to other parts if left untreated or if they are treated inappropriately.

Like benign fibroids, the causes of uterine leiomyosarcoma is unknown. Most experts believe that the occurrence of a cancerous fibroid is independent of the presence of a non-cancerous fibroid.

However, in rare cases, some researchers believe they may signify a malignant transformation of a non-cancerous fibroid. However, this topic is still in debate and no conclusive evidence has been found yet.

As there are very few chances of its occurrence, there is no reason to worry much, but it is good to know the symptoms and ways to get it diagnosed. This can help you seek timely medical advice, in case there is a concern.

What are the symptoms of a cancerous fibroid?

A cancerous fibroid includes almost all the symptoms of a non-cancerous fibroid. However, if there is a growth of a cancerous fibroid, there may be some additional complaints too.

This may be the time to seek immediate medical advice to rule out any complications and cancerous growths. Some of the symptoms of a cancerous fibroid that you should watch out for include:

• Sudden and rapid growth of uterine fibroid
• Unusual bleeding from the vagina
• Post-menopausal bleeding
• Excessive bleeding causing anemia

While most of these are clinical presentations, history taking and examination are also taken into consideration.

How do doctors diagnose uterine fibroids?

Your doctor will diagnose a cancerous fibroid or uterine leiomyosarcoma in the same way as benign fibroids.

Then they will detect fibroids during a physical examination. Your doctor may feel an irregular and firm lump during a pelvic or abdominal exam.

To rule out fibroids, your doctor will suggest undergoing scans mentioned below:

MRI

The doctor will advise an MRI to detect the size, number, and location of fibroids. An MRI uses magnet and radio waves to produce images that help your doctor to distinguish between adenomyosis and fibroids.

An MRI will help your doctor to confirm fibroids and know which treatment will be beneficial and effective for you.

Ultrasound

Most commonly, doctors order an ultrasound to scan for fibroids. An ultrasound uses sound waves to detect fibroids and involves frequencies that are much higher than what you can hear.

The doctor will place an ultrasound probe on your abdomen or inside the vagina that scans ovaries and uterus. The results from ultrasound help your doctor to detect fibroids and suggest appropriate treatments.

Other tests that your doctor will suggest are as follows:

• Hysteroscopy
• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
• Laparoscopy
• Hysterosonogram

These techniques are often useful to detect non-cancerous fibroids. However, the use of these techniques must be planned carefully if the fibroids are cancerous, to avoid any kind of spread to the other parts.

Any unusual findings on the imaging tests can raise suspicion of the possibility of a cancerous growth. If so, your doctor may advise further investigations and advanced tests to rule out the possibility of cancer.

Can fibroids cause other complications?

Fibroids don’t usually cause complications but when they do, they can be very serious and life-threatening.

Complications of uterine fibroids include:

• Infertility: In some cases, fibroids will make it difficult for the fertilized egg to attach itself to the lining of the womb. If you have a submucosal fibroid (or fibroids that grow inside the uterine cavity) it may change the shape of the womb and give less space to the placenta.
• Menorrhagia: Also known as heavy periods, this condition can make it difficult for a woman to function properly and finish their daily tasks. This might lead to fatigue, anemia, and depression.
• Abdominal pain: You may experience swelling and discomfort in the lower abdomen if the fibroids are large. Also, it may cause constipation with painful bowel movements.
• Difficulties in pregnancy: Fibroids may cause miscarriages, preterm birth, and labor issues such as estrogen levels increasing significantly during pregnancy.

Leiomyosarcoma or cancerous fibroid is a rare form of cancer that is thought to be developed inside the fibroid in very rare cases, although it is not clear if it is a complication of benign fibroid or an independent condition.

Other possible serious complications include internal bleeding, acute thromboembolism, acute renal failure, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

These are the common complications of fibroids. In the case of cancerous fibroid, any of these complications can occur in varying degrees depending on the age and health of a woman. For some, it can be more troublesome as there is a risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body.

It is advisable for women with fibroids to contact their doctor immediately if they experience severe abdominal pain or unusual vaginal bleeding.

Learn more about diagnosing and managing uterine fibroids here.