Are Fibroids Cancerous? Understanding the Risks and Facts
Fibroids are one of the most common uterine growths in women of reproductive age, but a frequent and understandable concern is: are fibroids cancerous ? In most cases, the answer is no—fibroids (also known as leiomyomas) are benign, meaning non-cancerous growths of smooth muscle and connective tissue. Fibroids develop in the uterus, and although they can cause a range of symptoms—heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, pressure, and sometimes fertility issues—they almost never transform into cancer. The chance of a uterine fibroid becoming malignant (turning into a leiomyosarcoma, which is a rare cancer of the uterus) is extremely low. Medical studies suggest that less than 1 % of fibroids are cancerous. There are a few reasons why the concern of cancer arises. First, both fibroids and certain cancers can present with an enlarging mass in the uterus. Second, degeneration (where parts of the fibroid lose blood supply) can cause pain or changes that mimic more serious conditions. How...