Hi,
After several months of constipation, abdominal and back pain, my doc sent me for an ultrasound scan.
At the scan, i was told I had a fibroid and not to worry. It was said in such a throwaway manner that it doesn’t sit right with me.
Ok, if I have fibroids, then fine- but can they really tell it’s not cancer from just a scan? Is that it or should I be offered a biopsy?
I've not heard of anyone who had a biopsy for fibroids. I have one. Some people have troublesome ones removed. But a fibroid is a benign tumour/growth as far as I'm aware.
They are a normal occurrence for many women, I've had them for years, even when I was pregnant ! One is now quite large but nothing needs doing about it.
Do you have a thyroid problem?
Constipation is common hypothyroid symptom
Suggest you add your thyroid results and ranges if you have them
Thank you all for replying.
I just imagined that they would double check, it is a tumour after all?
And yes, SlowDragon- I do have an under active thyroid and have been in medication for around 7 years now.
" . . . it is a tumour after all . . . "
tumour in a word for a growth. A wart is a benign tumour.
Having a cancerous fibroid tumour is very rare, less than 1 in 1,000; so uncommon that most if not all references are to fibroids being non-cancerous/benign growths that are a collection of muscle and fibrous tissue. When a growth is cancerous it tends to originate as such, rather than developing from a benign fibroid; and generally the majority can have distinct aspects differentiating them from fibroids - the majority (although of course not all) are single entities, large, and fast growing, and more commonly tend to arise in the fifth decade, peri- or post-menopause. They often have a large blood constituent, plus also some degraded "mushy" areas within the mass (sorry, can't think of the correct term), issues which might be evidenced in an ultrasound differently from a solid dense fibroid mass. So given the rarity of such a tumour, together with whatever was intuited from the ultrasound, it is unlikely further investigation would be considered necessary.
So well explained! THANK YOU!! 😘😘😘
I had a urinary tract scan today and during the procedure I was asked if anything further was being done about the ovarian fibroma she could see. It was, she said, the same size as at the previous scan some years ago and was not a problem then. I'm happy, based on earlier advice to leave it be!
Today's scan revealed a "baggy kidney", her term not mine. Not a concern I was reassured....so that will also be left alone. Just been doing my homework!
I am also due to have a colonoscopy, instigated by my GP following a bout of severe constipation. This I'm pretty sure is thyroid related, so fingers crossed the outcome will be the same...nothing sinister! I guess my T3 dose needs another tweak but medics don't always recognise this!
The human body throws up all manner of worrying quirks which, though not "normal", are none the less harmless. The "throwaway manner" you mention may simply have reflected the familiarity of fibroids to that person - granted, greater reassurance, should have been given! It can be very frightening.
A biopsy was never considered when my fibroma/fibroid was diagnosed. I don't think you need worry that your care has been neglected and cancer missed.
Take care
DD
Underactive thyroid & Fibroids link?
Looking for success stories re fibroids
Do I need Liothyroxine 
Do I need an increase?
Do I need a medication?
