Guest guest Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 L Hi, lili, can I ask you a couple questions? How old are you? And what size were or was your fibroid(s) 6 months ago, as opposed to what size it is now? " Rapid growth " is a very general term and if you are not post-menopausal (past menopause) the liklihood that a rapidly growing tumor could be a leiomyosarcoma (the malignant tumor your doc is most likely referring to) is remote. On the other hand, many women in perimenopause find that their fibroids do begin to grown more rapidly. This is related to the ups and downs of the hormones estrogen and progesterone during this 4-to- 10 year period before a woman reaches perimenopause. So if you're roughly in the 37 to 49 age group, faster growth is not uncommon. Your doctor is certainly right that this situation should be investigated further. But I don't think it's time to panic yet...I was told the same thing about my fibroids when I was 46 and it turned out they were just fibroids. I went on to have a UAE and have done fine since. Best of health, Leonie > I met with a radiologist(UAE specialist) fri to determine if > embolization is an option for me. He looked at my 2 MRI studies > 6 months apart, I have some fibroid degeneration, and rapid growth at > the same time, he mentioned there could be a malignancy. I was > shocked as I figured I'd just get a yes or no. Not another worry? > he is consulting with colleagues then contacting my gyno to dicuss. > I did have an endo.biopsy last Sept or Nov. that was fine, so I think > that is a good sign, he just made me feel that I have a higher risk, > as my fibroids don't look right and are not behaving normally. > so I'm now waiting for them to consult, I have no idea if I'll be > rushed in for more tests or what. has anyone had this scare? > I'm prepared to do what I have to for my health. Just not sure if > I'll be in the hopital in the next month for a hysterectomy? > It's the unknown. hope I hear soon. > any advice is welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 get a second and third opinion that is independent of these folk. fibroids can grow fast as well. best wishes. gigi >ade me feel that I have a higher risk, >as my fibroids don't look right and are not behaving normally. >so I'm now waiting for them to consult, I have no idea if I'll be >rushed in for more tests or what. has anyone had this scare? >I'm prepared to do what I have to for my health. Just not sure if >I'll be in the hopital in the next month for a hysterectomy? >It's the unknown. hope I hear soon. >any advice is welcome > > > > > >MEETUP! with other local women who have Uterine Fibroids. http://uterinefibroids.meetup.com > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 I was in a similar situation three months ago. An ultrasound showed a " normal " fibroid (7 cm) and a " cystic (cellular), necrotic (dying) mass " (6 cm). This thing is a black hole on the ultrasound screen. Since my uterus was normal a year before that, the mass was either a fast growing fibroid that had degenerated or a leiomyosarcoma (cancer). My gyno decided to do another ultrasound after two weeks. If it had grown in that time, she would refer me to a gynecological oncologist. It didn't grow, and three months later, it is a little smaller. Even though leiomyosarcomas make up less than 1% of uterine cancers and then only really in post-menopausal women (I am 33), we needed to check it out, because as my Dr. put it, " these things are EVIL " . They are notorious for metastasis. Unfortunately,both my brother-in-law pathologist and Dr. told me that it is very difficult to discern between a degenerating fibroid and cancer because they are made from the same type of tissue, which is different from a live, healthy fibroid. If your fibroid is only partially degenerating, it seems to me that it is very likely a fibroid and not cancer. Fibroids do not become malignant. Since I had another fibroid and I am only 33, I knew that the chances of cancer were pretty small. But still, those two weeks between ultrasounds were filled with tears and what-ifs. Talk to your gyno. Get all the facts, and try not to worry too much. I think I still have some literature at home if you would like it. Jen > I met with a radiologist(UAE specialist) fri to determine if > embolization is an option for me. He looked at my 2 MRI studies > 6 months apart, I have some fibroid degeneration, and rapid growth at > the same time, he mentioned there could be a malignancy. I was > shocked as I figured I'd just get a yes or no. Not another worry? > he is consulting with colleagues then contacting my gyno to dicuss. > I did have an endo.biopsy last Sept or Nov. that was fine, so I think > that is a good sign, he just made me feel that I have a higher risk, > as my fibroids don't look right and are not behaving normally. > so I'm now waiting for them to consult, I have no idea if I'll be > rushed in for more tests or what. has anyone had this scare? > I'm prepared to do what I have to for my health. Just not sure if > I'll be in the hopital in the next month for a hysterectomy? > It's the unknown. hope I hear soon. > any advice is welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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