hyaline degeneration - the most common change observed in fibroids; the fibrous and muscle tissues are replaced by hyaline tissue
cystic degeneration - usually after the menopause; due to liquefaction of areas of hyaline tissue
red or carneous degeneration - an acute degenerative process caused by haemorrhage into the tumour; affects half of all fibroids during pregnancy
fatty degeneration - usually at, or after, the menopause
calcification - particularly after the menopause; usually preceded by fatty change. In advanced cases, the whole tumour becomes a calcareous mass - so called "womb stone"
atrophy - occurs after the menopause; but large tumours may show only a small reduction in size
torsion - produces severe pain
secondary infection of a necrotic fibroid
sarcomatous change - occurs rarely - studies have revealed an incidence of uterine sarcoma of about 0.2% in patients operated on for presumed fibroids (1,2)
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