What is a Uterine Leiomyosarcoma?

Uterine Leiomyosarcoma is a medical condition resulting from the overgrowth of malignant cells in the muscles of a woman's uterus or womb. It is generally a very rare cancer occurring in women who are 50 or older. This type of cancer is often aggressive and has a tendency to spread to other organs in the body. Organs often affected by spread of cancer cells are the liver, the lungs and the bones. Once uterine leiomyosarcoma reaches its advanced stage, the outlook for the patient usually becomes very poor.

Aside from genetics, several factors have been pointed out as possible causes for the development of uterine leiomyosarcoma. These factors include the use of a drug for breast cancer known as tamoxifen, and prolonged exposure to radiation. Women who have histories of tamoxifen use or who have radiation exposure in the past 10 years or more, are often recommended to visit their gynecologist. A gynecologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the management and treatment of problems related to the female reproductive system. A uterine screening test is usually done to evaluate the reproductive health of these women.

Symptoms of uterine leiomyosarcoma include constipation, abdominal pain, and abnormal bleeding from the vagina that is not associated with menstruation. Patients may also feel certain pressure in the bladder leading to frequent urination. Jaundice or yellowing of the eyes and skin, as well as ascitis, which is the collection of fluid in the abdomen, are also sometimes seen in patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma.

After a thorough examination of the pelvic area containing the fallopian tube, ovaries, uterus, cervix, and rectum is performed, the gynecologist may request additional tests. These tests include computed tomography scan, transvaginal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and tissue biopsy. A tissue biopsy, which is done by taking tissue samples from the uterus, is frequently needed for the diagnosis of uterine leiomyosarcoma.

Patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma can choose from a range of treatment options that are made available to them. Traditional surgery in the form of hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus, is one such option. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used as well. A combination of these treatments is also sometimes employed, although the use of chemotherapy after surgery is controversial. A chest X-ray is often recommended to check if the sarcoma has spread to the lungs.