Is Abdominal Pain Caused by Uterine Fibroids a Sign of Cancer?

Uterine fibroids causing abdominal pain are not necessarily an indication of cancer. While it's true that malignant transformation of fibroids can lead to abdominal discomfort, not every case of pain associated with uterine fibroids signifies malignancy. There are several common, non-cancerous reasons why fibroids may cause pain:

In some cases, abdominal pain results from the rapid growth of a fibroid. As these benign tumors expand quickly, internal bleeding and tissue death may occur within the mass, leading to discomfort or sharp pains in the lower abdomen.

Another possibility involves degenerative changes in fibroids, such as red degeneration—a benign condition where blood supply to part of the fibroid is cut off, causing tissue ischemia and necrosis. This often results in localized pain, particularly during pregnancy when hormonal changes increase the likelihood of such transformations. Accompanying symptoms might include fever and nausea.

Pain could also stem from pedunculated subserosal fibroids—those attached to the uterus by a thin stalk. If one of these fibroids twists on its stalk, it can cause sudden, intense lower abdominal pain requiring medical attention.

Lastly, submucosal fibroids located just beneath the uterine lining may provoke pain due to uterine contractions aimed at expelling the growth through the cervix. This expulsion process often causes cramping and discomfort in the lower abdomen.

Understanding the nature of your symptoms and seeking timely medical evaluation is key to determining whether the pain stems from a benign change in existing fibroids or something more serious like a malignant transformation.