Uterine leiomyosarcoma
Updates to Article Attributes
Uterine leiomyosarcomas are malignant uterine tumours that arises from the myometrium. The uterus is the commonest location for a leiomyosarcoma.
Epidemiology
Typically present in women in the 6th decade. They account for up to one-third of uterine sarcomas but only ~8% of all uterine cancers 10.
Clinical presentation
Most commonly patients present with abnormal PV bleeding, pelvic mass, and/or pelvic pain. Uncommonly, patients present with symptoms from local extension or metastases 10.
Pathology
Leiomyosarcomas may arise either de novo 5 from uterine musculature or the connective tissue of uterine blood vessels, or in a pre-existing leiomyoma. The incidence of sarcomatous transformation in benign uterine leiomyomas is reported to be 0.1-0.8% 2.
The pattern of tumour spread is to the myometrium, pelvic blood vessels and lymphatics, contiguous pelvic structures, abdomen, and then distantly, most often to the lungs.
Histology can be similar to leiyomyosarcomas at other sites. A leiomyosarcoma is differentiated histologically from a leiyomyoma by noting the presence of infiltrative margins, nuclear atypia and increased mitotic figures.
Radiographic features
General
TheGenerally, the uterus is often massively enlarged.
CT
- may show irregular central zones of low attenuation, suggesting extensive necrosis 8 and haemorrhage
- foci of calcification may be present but rare
MRI
Although it has been suggested that an irregular margin of a uterine leiomyoma on MRI is suggestive of sarcomatous transformation, this is not considered that specific.
Treatment and prognosis
Surgical resection, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, is the treatment of choice when possible. They generally carry a poor prognosis 6.
Differential diagnosis
Consider other uterine masses such as:
- other uterine sarcomas:
- endometrial carcinoma
- large uterine leiomyoma (fibroid): especially those with myxoid degeneration or myxoid sub type 9
- uterine smooth muscle tumours of uncertain malignant potential: rare
-<p><strong>Uterine leiomyosarcomas</strong> are <a href="/articles/malignant-neoplasms-involving-the-uterus">malignant uterine tumours</a> that arises from the myometrium. The <a href="/articles/uterus">uterus</a> is the commonest location for a <a href="/articles/leiomyosarcoma">leiomyosarcoma</a>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Typically present in women in the 6<sup>th</sup> decade. They account for up to one-third of <a href="/articles/uterine-sarcoma">uterine sarcomas</a> but only ~8% of all uterine cancers <sup>10</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Most commonly patients present with abnormal PV bleeding, pelvic mass, and/or pelvic pain. Uncommonly, patients present with symptoms from local extension or metastases <sup>10</sup>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Leiomyosarcomas may arise either <em>de novo</em> <sup>5</sup> from uterine musculature or the connective tissue of uterine blood vessels, or in a pre-existing leiomyoma. The incidence of sarcomatous transformation in benign uterine leiomyomas is reported to be 0.1-0.8% <sup>2</sup>. </p><p>The pattern of tumour spread is to the myometrium, pelvic blood vessels and lymphatics, contiguous pelvic structures, abdomen, and then distantly, most often to the lungs.</p><p>Histology can be similar to leiyomyosarcomas at other sites. A leiomyosarcoma is differentiated histologically from a leiyomyoma by noting the presence of infiltrative margins, nuclear atypia and increased mitotic figures.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>General</h5><p>The uterus is often massively enlarged.</p><h5>CT</h5><ul>- +<p><strong>Uterine leiomyosarcomas</strong> are <a href="/articles/malignant-neoplasms-involving-the-uterus">malignant uterine tumours</a> that arises from the myometrium. The <a href="/articles/uterus">uterus</a> is the commonest location for a <a href="/articles/leiomyosarcoma">leiomyosarcoma</a>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Typically present in women in the 6<sup>th</sup> decade. They account for up to one-third of <a href="/articles/uterine-sarcoma">uterine sarcomas</a> but only ~8% of all uterine cancers <sup>10</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Most commonly patients present with abnormal PV bleeding, pelvic mass, and/or pelvic pain. Uncommonly, patients present with symptoms from local extension or metastases <sup>10</sup>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Leiomyosarcomas may arise either <em>de novo</em> <sup>5</sup> from uterine musculature or the connective tissue of uterine blood vessels, or in a pre-existing leiomyoma. The incidence of sarcomatous transformation in benign uterine leiomyomas is reported to be 0.1-0.8% <sup>2</sup>. </p><p>The pattern of tumour spread is to the myometrium, pelvic blood vessels and lymphatics, contiguous pelvic structures, abdomen, and then distantly, most often to the lungs.</p><p>Histology can be similar to leiyomyosarcomas at other sites. A leiomyosarcoma is differentiated histologically from a leiyomyoma by noting the presence of infiltrative margins, nuclear atypia and increased mitotic figures.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Generally, the uterus is often massively enlarged.</p><h5>CT</h5><ul>
-</ul><h5>MRI</h5><p>Although it has been suggested that an irregular margin of a uterine leiomyoma on MRI is suggestive of sarcomatous transformation, this is not considered that specific.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>They generally carry a poor prognosis <sup>6</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>Consider other uterine masses such as:</p><ul>- +</ul><h5>MRI</h5><p>Although it has been suggested that an irregular margin of a uterine leiomyoma on MRI is suggestive of sarcomatous transformation, this is not considered that specific.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Surgical resection, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, is the treatment of choice when possible. They generally carry a poor prognosis <sup>6</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>Consider other uterine masses such as:</p><ul>
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