Some women experience heavy menstrual bleeding, painful pressure symptoms, increased urinary frequency, iron deficiency (with or without anemia), and also reproductive issues. These are all symptoms of uterine fibroids, and upon examination by a gynecologist, they may be diagnosed as such, having uterine fibroids.
However, rather large fibroids that originate in the muscle and grow outward may result in no bleeding or fertility issues. In fact, patients may be totally unaware or never suspect that they have them, until they are found during an examination.
Unfortunately, anxiety may build in these women and they begin to wonder whether these uterine fibroids can become cancerous. Many years ago it was thought that a small percentage of them (less than 1%) could undergo a transformation and actually become cancer.
Dr Steven R. Goldstein, a leading obgyn in NYC, says true uterine fibroids have no malignant potential. In other words, they do not become cancer. Fibroids are not cancerous, nor do they increase the risk of a woman having uterine cancer.
What can be diagnosed as cancerous are sarcomas, which are rare malignant tumors of the uterine muscle. These are not fibroids. These sarcomas will exist by themselves, and not in a group or in multiples. Transvaginal ultrasound using color flow Doppler Ultrasound Technology are used to distinguish between uterine fibroids and sarcomas, as it shows blood flow and vascularity.
Typical fibroids have a circumferential pattern of blood flow with very little vascularity centrally located. Some benign fibroids can have vascularity if they are extremely cellular and still be benign. The blood flow will show a vascularity pattern very different from typical fibroids.
Dr Goldstein, a top obgyn in NYC uses transvaginal ultrasounds with color flow doppler liberally to look at the vascularity pattern or blood flow to evaluate any uterine fibroids or sarcomas.
Dr Goldstein is a pioneer in the field of transvaginal ultrasound and Sonohysterograms which he personally performs. He does not rely on a technician or a report. Dr Goldstein is the 2023 recipient of the William J. Fry Memorial Lecture Award from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine in recognition of his pioneering and vast work in the field of gynecologic ultrasound.
Schedule a consultation with this top obgyn in NYC if you have symptoms of fibroids, or have been told you may have uterine cancer and you need a second opinion.
