Are Fibroids Cancerous?

What Is Leiomyosarcoma?

Leiomyosarcoma is a cancer that develops in involuntary (smooth) muscles. Smooth muscles are all muscles that are not solely responsible for voluntary physical movement. These muscle tissues are located on hollow organ muscles, which include the bladder, stomach, intestines, and uterus.

Though leiomyosarcomas are aggressive, they are also extremely rare—they account for less than 20% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Soft tissue sarcomas are rare cancers originating in the body’s soft tissues (blood and lymph vessels, fatty tissue, muscles, tendons, and nerves). Soft tissue sarcomas account for roughly 1% of all adult cancer diagnoses.

Leiomyosarcomas fall into three categories.

• Somatic soft tissue LMS
  Somatic soft tissue is the most common type of leiomyosarcoma. It occurs in the deep soft tissues of the body, such as the limbs, trunk, or retroperitoneum. These tumors typically develop in smooth muscle cells, most frequently in the limbs, the gastrointestinal tract, or the uterus. Depending on location, somatic soft tissue LMS often presents as a painless mass that grows rapidly and may cause discomfort or functional impairment. Surgical excision is a standard treatment for this type of LMS, and adjuvant therapies such as radiation or chemotherapy may be appropriate in certain cases.
• Cutaneous or subcutaneous LMS
  This form of leiomyosarcoma occurs in the skin or the layer of tissue just beneath it. Unlike somatic soft tissue LMS, cutaneous or subcutaneous LMS originates from the smooth muscle cells within the skin itself. These tumors often appear as firm, nodular growths on the skin's surface and can resemble benign lesions. Surgical removal is the primary treatment for cutaneous or subcutaneous LMS, and close monitoring is necessary to detect any signs of recurrence or metastasis.
• Vascular LMS
  Vascular leiomyosarcoma is a rare subtype of LMS originating in the smooth muscle cells within blood vessels. These tumors can occur in arteries and veins, and their location can affect the associated symptoms and treatment options. Vascular LMS can cause vessel obstruction, leading to symptoms such as pain, swelling, or even ischemia in severe cases. Treatment for vascular LMS often involves a combination of surgical resection, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies.

Uterine leiomyosarcoma symptoms resemble those caused by uterine fibroids.

• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Vaginal discharge
• Non-menstrual vaginal bleeding
• Frequent urination

While the precise cause of leiomyosarcoma is unknown, people who have experienced radiation therapy or had prolonged exposure to certain pesticide chemicals might be at a higher risk of developing the condition.

Fortunately, the likelihood that a uterine fibroid is a leiomyosarcoma is very low. Nevertheless, it is extremely important to immediately address any type of symptom affecting your reproductive organ system.

Georgia Fibroids: Effective, Outpatient Non-Surgical Fibroid Treatment

At Georgia Fibroids, we specialize in uterine fibroid treatments that deliver effective symptom reduction. Our fibroid treatment center offers next-generation technologies for detecting fibroids and non-invasive fibroid treatments that do not require hospitalization or long recovery times.

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is an advanced, non-surgical intervention that can radically reduce the size of fibroids by interfering with their blood supply. Our dedicated fibroid doctors offer decades of experience in interventional radiology, delivering exceptional results for diverse patients.

Please contact our helpful representatives today if you would like to speak with a fibroid specialist or schedule an appointment at our fibroid treatment clinic.