What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Cervical Lipoleiomyoma
• Leiomyoma of Uterine Cervix, Lipomatous Variant
• Lipoleiomyoma of Cervix

What is Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix? (Definition/Background Information)

• Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix is an extremely uncommon morphological variant of cervical leiomyoma (or leiomyoma of uterine cervix). The tumor is diagnosed histologically by a pathologist by observing a tumor specimen under the microscope
• Some of the lipoleiomyoma tumors may appear like hibernomas or chondroid tumors. In rare cases, there may be the presence of cartilage, bone, and muscle cells in the tumor. A lipoleiomyoma is the lipomatous variant of a leiomyoma (a benign smooth muscle tumor that can develop anywhere in the body)
• Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix may be found in adult women. The tumors are generally painless and do not show any signs and symptoms in many cases. Some women may have pelvic pain and heavy bleeding during menstruation. Large tumors sizes can cause signs and symptoms due to compression of adjoining organ structures
• The treatment of choice for Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix is a surgical removal of the entire tumor. In most cases, the prognosis of Cervical Lipoleiomyoma is excellent with appropriate treatment

Who gets Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix? (Age and Sex Distribution)

No specific demographics for Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix, which is a very rare tumor, are noted.

• However, in general, leiomyoma of uterine cervix may affect women of any age (young, middle-aged, and elderly women)
• There is no geographical, racial, or ethnic preference noticed

What are the Risk Factors for Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix? (Predisposing Factors)

No specific risk factors are evident for Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix. In general, the risk factors for leiomyoma of uterine cervix may include the following:

• Family history of the condition
• Imbalance of estrogen and progesterone hormone levels in the body
• Early onset of menstruation (in girls)
• Obesity, being overweight
• High in meat and low in vegetables diet
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Excessive alcohol consumption

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix? (Etiology)

• The exact cause of Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix development is unknown
• It is believed that similar genetic factors that are responsible for leiomyomas of the uterus may play a role in the development of this cervical tumor
• Research is being performed to understand the causative factors of this rare tumor type

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix?

A majority of women do not show any signs and symptoms (especially when the tumors are small-sized). The signs and symptoms of Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix may include the following:

• The tumors may occur as a solitary, well-circumscribed mass
• Heavy bleeding during menstruation, in some cases
• Some tumors may grow to large sizes and may cause a feeling of fullness in the abdomen; enlargement of lower abdomen
• Pain in the pelvic region
• Frequent urination due to compression/pressure of the tumor
• Lower back pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse

How is Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix may involve:

• Complete physical (pelvic) examination with thorough evaluation of medical history
• Ultrasound scan of the pelvis: It is a noninvasive procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to produce real-time images
• Abdominal and pelvic CT scan: It is a noninvasive procedure that provides more details of soft tissues, blood vessels, and internal organs
• Pelvic MRI scan: It is a noninvasive medical test that uses a powerful magnetic field to produce images of soft tissues, bones, organs, and all other internal structures of the abdomen and pelvis
• Blood tests that include:
  • Complete blood count (CBC) to detect the cause of anemia
  • Determination of estrogen/progesterone levels in blood
• Hysteroscopy: This procedure involves placing a probe through the cervix to examine the cavity of the uterus. This exam is helpful in detecting submucosal leiomyomas
• Hysterosalpingography: It is usually performed in individuals with infertility. In this procedure, the structure of the uterus and fallopian tubes are studied by using a dye and X-ray images
• Needle biopsy of tumor: A needle biopsy may not be helpful, because one may not be able to visualize the different morphological areas of the tumor. Hence, a needle biopsy as a diagnostic tool has certain limitations, and an open surgical biopsy is preferred
• Open biopsy of tumor: A tissue biopsy is performed and sent to a laboratory for a pathological examination, who examines the biopsy under a microscope. After putting together clinical findings, special studies on tissues (if needed) and with microscope findings, the pathologist arrives at a definitive diagnosis
• Differential diagnosis, to eliminate other tumor types is considered, before arriving at a definitive diagnosis of Uterine Lipoleiomyoma

Note: Some tumors may resemble hibernomas or chondroid tumors.

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix?

The possible complications of Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix include:

• Stress and anxiety due to fear of cervical cancer
• Infertility, caused due to mechanical obstruction of the cervical opening by large-sized tumors
• Heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding may result in anemia
• Some tumors may grow to large sizes, and even grow out of the uterus affecting adjoining reproductive organs
• Recurrence of the tumor due to its partial or incomplete surgical removal
• Post-surgical infection at the wound site is a potential complication

How is Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix Treated?

The treatment of Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix may depend upon a consideration of the following set of factors:

• Asymptomatic leiomyomas may not require any treatment; in such cases, the healthcare provider may chose to periodically observe and monitor the tumor
• In some individuals, the size of the tumor may shrink after menopause without any treatment
• Medical treatment options:
  • Pain medications for tumors causing pain
  • Hormonal treatment such as birth control pills
  • Dietary and lifestyle modification to address overweight issues
  • Taking supplements in case of vitamin D deficiency
  • Avoiding alcohol during pregnancy and limiting consumption
  • Treating iron-deficiency anemia, if any
• Surgical treatment options: A simple surgical excision and removal of the entire tumor is normally sufficient treatment
  • Myomectomy: Removal of the tumor/fibroid (also known as fibroidectomy)
  • Radical trachelectomy: The surgeon removes the cervix, upper part of the vagina, and nearby lymph nodes, while preserving the ability to have children
  • Hysterectomy: The removal of a part of the uterus or the entire uterus
  • Myolysis of leiomyoma: In this procedure, a needle is inserted into the tumor. After the insertion, the tumor is destroyed either by using an electric current, or by a freezing technique
  • Tumor embolization is a possible treatment option. Here the blood supply to the tumor is blocked resulting in tumor death
  • Radiofrequency ablation: In this technique, the tumors are destroyed using radio waves
• Post-operative care is important: One must maintain minimum activity levels, until the surgical wound heals
• Follow-up care with regular screening and check-ups are important

How can Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix be Prevented?

Current medical research has not established a method of preventing Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix. However, the following general factors may be considered to reduce the risk for tumor development:

• Address any condition causing hormonal imbalance in the body
• Maintain weight through proper diet modification and physical exercises, if you are overweight/obese
• Avoid alcohol consumption or limit its intake
• Have a balanced diet that is not high in meat and low in vegetables; a balanced diet can also help avoid any mineral or vitamin deficiencies in the body

What is the Prognosis of Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• In a majority of cases, the prognosis of Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix is generally excellent on surgical excision and removal of the tumor, since these are benign tumors
• However, periodic follow-up check-ups with regular screening may be required

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Lipoleiomyoma of Uterine Cervix:

• Fibroid tumor removal (or myomectomy) is the surgical removal of fibroids from the uterus

The following link will help you understand fibroid tumor removal surgical procedure:

http://www.dovemed.com/common-procedures/procedures-surgical/fibroid-tumor-removal/

• Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure characterized by the surgical removal of the uterus

The following link will help you understand hysterectomy surgical procedure:

http://www.dovemed.com/common-procedures/procedures-surgical/hysterectomy-abdominal-with-salpingo-oophorectomy/

• Uterine fibroid embolization is a minimally-invasive procedure to treat fibroid tumors found in the uterus

The following link will help you understand uterine fibroid embolization radiology procedure:

http://www.dovemed.com/common-procedures/radiology-procedures/uterine-fibroid-embolization/