Differentiating Fibroids Polyps & Cysts

These growths found in women’s reproductive organs are why a woman should always make time for an annual gynaecological check-up.

Screening a woman’s reproductive organs is an important part of her annual health check. In fact, it is not uncommon for a medical professional to discover unusual growths in the uterus, cervix, or ovaries when checking the screening results.

These masses can take different forms. While most cases turn out to be benign or harmless, it is important to detect all instances because a small proportion of them may develop into cancer if not treated promptly. These abnormal masses or growths can be any number of things, the most common being fibroids, cysts, and polyps.

Fibroids

A fibroid, also called a leiomyoma, is a non-cancerous ‘rubbery’ growth usually found in the uterus. It most often occurs during a woman’s childbearing years. This type of growth starts in the smooth muscle cells that make up the uterus wall. It can vary in shape, size, and location.

Fibroids affect about seven out of 10 women, but only a small percentage (25%) cause symptoms such as abnormal bleeding. Fibroids that grow quite large can also cause pressure on the pelvis, bladder, or rectum, or become obstructive and cause infertility, cramps, or bowel or urination problems. In these cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the growth. Otherwise, treatment is usually conservative, and your doctor will simply monitor the growth of the fibroid.

To check for fibroids, your doctor may recommend a routine pelvic exam, ultrasound, or laparoscopy (which uses a tube-like probe).

Cysts

A cyst is a thin-walled tissue sac that may contain liquid, semi-solid material, or gas. Cysts can grow on any part of the body, including the reproductive organs. Women, for instance, often develop cysts in the ovaries.

The most common type is known as functional or physiologic cysts. These form as a result of ovulation. During the normal ovulation cycle, several small follicles grow in the ovaries. One of these follicles typically becomes dominant and releases a mature egg. The other follicles will then shrink. However, a cyst is formed when a follicle does not dissolve or when an egg fails to detach. Another type of functional cyst is called a corpus luteum cyst, which forms after the egg has moved into the fallopian tubes.

These functional cysts do not require surgery and will usually resolve on their own after one or two menstrual cycles. However, a small number of cysts can grow too large and cause pain or may burst and cause an infection. Some cases of ovarian cysts can become cancerous. This is why screening and monitoring of cysts is an essential part of a woman’s annual gynaecological check-up.

Polyps

A polyp refers to an abnormal growth of tissue on a mucous membrane. Polyps can range widely in size—from sesame seeds to golf balls! Each looks like a little ball on the end of a stalk and typically grows on the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium).

They can—if present in large numbers—push themselves out into the cervix. They can cause abnormal bleeding or bleeding after sex or exercise. Compared to fibroids, polyps can be malignant. Cancerous polyps are more common in older, post-menopausal women.

Detection methods for polyps include transvaginal ultrasound (using sound waves to create a picture of the uterus interior), hysteroscopy (inserting a thin lighted telescope through the vagina), and endometrial biopsy (collecting tissue samples from the uterus wall for analysis).