Myxoid Leiomyoma of Cervix

Abstract

Leiomyoma, a benign smooth muscle tumour of uterus, is the most common pelvic tumour which occurs in women of reproductive age group. Uterine leiomyomas are frequently seen in women who are older than 30 years of age and they are very rarely seen in women who are below the age of 18 years. They tend to regress after menopause. Incidence is 4% in women who are below 30 years of age. However , lifetime risk of fibroids in women who are over the age of 45 years is more than 60%, with an incidence which is higher in blacks than in whites Cervical leiomyomas constitute 1-2% of the total leiomyoma cases and they rarely occur. There are three types of cervical leiomyomas, namely; interstitial, supravaginal, and polypoidal. Supravaginal leiomyoma is the commonest type. Large cervical fibroids present with abdominal masses, incarcerated procidentia, uterine inversion, cervical malignancy, etc. The prevalence of fibroids during pregnancy, irrespective of site, has been reported to be 1-4%. Degeneration in leiomyomas have been described in 65% of the cases. Myxoid leiomyoma is characterized by absence of mito tic activity and the presence of myogenic phenotype. The higher end of prevalence for a myxoid degeneration has been reported in upto 50% of all degenerations in uterus, but myxoid leiomyoma has been rarely described in cervix. Cause of a myxoid change in pregnancy is unknown.