WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for July, 2003: Re: How to detect fibroid malignancy?

Re: How to detect fibroid malignancy?

From: anon (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 23 Jul 2003 12:42:08 -0500 (CDT)

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At Wed, 23 Jul 2003, Karen wrote: >
>Is there a way to determine if a large fibroid is cancerous, short of a
>hysterectomy? Is biopsy possible? Would an MRI give an indication?
>
>Background: Last winter, began bleeding VERY heavily, almost non-stop,
>with cramps and big clots; became anemic; 10 days of provera didn't stop
>bleeding. Ultrasound showed enlarged uterus and a fibroid which had
>grown over 9 years, from 3.8x3.4 in '94 to 6.4x6 in '03, and indicated
>thickened endometrium. Immediate abdominal hysterectomy strongly
>recommended by MD. Asked for cancer check first. Attempts at
>endometrial biopsy failed. Insisted on diagnostic D&C; was told
>procedure wouldn't help condition. Hystereoscope / D&C discovered and
>removed large uterine polyp (misread as thickened endometrium) in March;
>all benign.
>
>Symptoms have disappeared entirely! Periods regular, and for me, very
>light, no pain or pressure. MD still advises hysterectomy for
>cancer-threat of growing fibroid. Want to avoid major abdominal surgery
>if cancer not present.
>
>(Age 48, no pregnancies, overwieght but not obese, no other health
>issues; periods began at 11; history of heavy periods since age 15.)
>
>Many thanks,
>Karen

Karen ,

I'm not a doctor, but hopefully one will answer your question fairly soon. In 9 years your fibroid hasn't even doubled in sizeand you are not menopausal. It doesn't sound correct to me- you should always get a second opinion when a hysterectomy is advised. My fibroid doubled in size in 5 years and none of the doctors I cinsulted thought I had cancer. Five years after that fibroids began to cause symptoms so I had a hyst then. (no cancer). However, I do not believe there is a way to diagnose a cancerous fibroid (very rare) without surgery.

Next message: Amber: "? about Bacterial Vaginosis"
Previous message: SusieQ: "Re: Lymph Nodes & Endometriosis (Second Post...Please Help)"
In reply to: Karen: "How to detect fibroid malignancy?"
Next in thread: R. Daniel Braun, MD: "Re: How to detect fibroid malignancy?"

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