The boon of early detection: Managing a rapidly enlarging postmenopausal uterine fibroid
Author(s): A Suganya and Muthukumar Subramaian
Abstract: Background: Uterine leiomyomas are common benign smooth muscle tumors in women of reproductive age, but their occurrence or enlargement after menopause is rare and clinically concerning. Rapidly growing uterine masses in postmenopausal women often raise suspicion for malignancy, particularly leiomyosarcoma. Objective: To present a case of a large, rapidly enlarging postmenopausal uterine fibroid mimicking malignancy and to highlight the importance of early detection, imaging evaluation, and surgical management. Methods: A 46-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with a six-month history of progressive abdominal distension and heaviness at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Parvathy Multispeciality Hospital, Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Clinical, radiological, and histopathological assessments were performed to establish the diagnosis. Results: Imaging revealed a large (15.5 × 11.6 cm) mass arising from the right lateral uterine wall, with features suggestive of degenerating leiomyoma. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH + BSO). Histopathological analysis confirmed a benign intramural leiomyoma with cystic and fatty degeneration, without evidence of sarcomatous changes. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remained asymptomatic on follow-up. Conclusion: Uterine leiomyomas are rare in postmenopausal women, but when they enlarge rapidly, malignancy must be ruled out. Early imaging and timely surgical intervention are crucial for accurate diagnosis and favorable outcomes.
Pages: 111-115 | 337 Views | 217 Downloads
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