Uterine fibroids are generally classified as non-malignant growths that form in the uterus and nearby areas. However, this does give rise to a question: can a uterine fibroid grow and mutate into something more malevolent?
The short answer is no. The longer answer is that fibroids and another cancerous growth can be mistaken for one another. And, fortunately, early treatment of either can prevent a lot of complications in the future.
Uterine Fibroids and Cancer: What Is the Difference?
Fibroids, also known as Leiomyomas, are often mistaken for Leiomyosarcomas. These growths start similar to your typical fibroid but, in actuality, carry cancerous cells. To tell one from the other, there are a few facts about uterine cancers that you should know about.
Formation
Uterine cancers form in the muscles of the uterus or other uterine tissues. Fibroids, on the other hand, form in the smooth muscle inside or outside the uterus.
Symptoms
Uterine cancers, if forming at areas where fibroids do not usually develop, can cause severe symptoms to manifest. This includes excessive bleeding outside of one’s menstruation periods or the sensation of something blocking the vaginal passage.
Fibroids, on the other hand, cause a myriad of light discomforts. This includes temporary abdominal pains, pressure in the pelvis, and constipation. One may also feel a mass forming or blocking their passages.
However, uterine cancers and uterine fibroids do share the same symptoms such as the feeling of fullness in the stomach (whether dieting or not) and frequent urination. They may also spring from the same causes such as stress, improper diet, genetics, and obesity.
This is why it is important to have a doctor examine you thoroughly in case you feel any of the symptoms mentioned in either condition. They will be armed with the right set of skills and tools to properly identify one condition and rule out the other.
The Risks of Mutation
It is important to understand that leiomyosarcomas, although having the potential to carry cancerous cells, also have the potential to remain benign throughout their lifespan. As such, this poses a question: how often do leiomyosarcomas develop into uterine cancers.
The chances of it happening, surprisingly, are pretty low. Researches point that the risk of a fibroid growth containing cancer cells is approximately 1 in 400. This means that out of every 400 women with uterine fibroids, only 1 of them has the highest chance of having their fibroids mutate into cancer.
There is a number of reasons why fibroids rarely mutate into cancer. However, experts believe that this has something to do with age. If a women starts developing fibroids at a young child-bearing age, their chances of suffering from uterine cancers at their menopausal phase will be lower.
Also, factors like health, stress, and genetics still play a part in this link. Women with fibroids that live active and healthily lifestyles have lower chances of suffering from cancer in their later years.
Either way, the chances of a fibroid becoming a malignant tumor is quite low. However, just to be sure, it would be advised that a person undergo regular examinations to detect the presence of either growth so the proper remedies can be prepared.
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