Thicken endometrium and Fibroids

[DiemThu]

I am 37 year old and have two children. I had a pelvic ultrasound done two weeks ago. My family physician told me that I had a large fibroids about 6 cm, and thicken endometrium of 13 mm to 15 mm. Was the max. normal thickness 10 mm?. Four days after the procedure, I've had a period lasting about 5 days. I made an appointment with Gynecologist in two weeks. I am worry and would like to know if it may be a chance of getting cancer. Thank you.

[DiemThu]

Thank you for your response.

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

A. While there is a chance of cancer, in a 37 year old woman with fibroids, most of the time this type of problem is not cancer.  Your fibroid that is 6 cm is not extremely large, but it is big enough that it has to be watched every 6 months or so with another exam or ultrasound to find out if it is growing.  The normal thickness of the uterine lining is usually 10 mm or less but sometimes the ultrasound can mistake a benign growth such as a polyp or a fibroid as a thick uterine lining.  Your gynecologist might want to sample the uterine lining with a thin instrument so the tissue can be looked at under a microscope.  That is called an endometrial biopsy and it causes a mild cramp.  Try taking a mild pain medication like Tylenol or Motrin one hour before.  Your gynecologist might also want to look inside the uterus with a small telescope called a hysteroscope.  That might be done in the office or in the operating room with mild anesthesia.  It usually takes only about half hour to do and you go home the same day.  Try not to worry.  The gynecologist should be able to give you answers after the first visit or soon after some tests are scheduled.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD