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Leiomyosarcoma Information

Leiomyosarcoma is an aggressive type of sarcoma, which is a form of cancer that attacks the connective tissues of the body. Leiomyosarcoma is very rare with no known cause. Survival rate depends on what stage the cancer is and how far it has spread. Leiomyosarcoma is responsible for between 7 to 11 percent of all sarcomas of the soft tissue in adults and children. People over age 50 account for most cases of leiomyosarcoma.

  1. Risk Factors

    • Although no definitive cause for leiomyosarcoma is known, there are certain things that put a person at greater risk of developing the condition. Families with certain genetic alterations are more susceptible to developing leiomyosarcoma, along with an increased risk for people who have had other types of cancer. People with Epstein-Barr and those with AIDS, along with anyone going through immunosupression therapy after renal transplantation also have increased risk of developing the condition. Radiation therapy and environmental factors such as exposure to certain chemicals also increase risk.

    Types

    • Leiomyosarcoma is separated into low and high grade depending on the characteristics of cancer cells. Low-grade leiomyosarcoma is diagnosed when cancer cells look almost like normal cells present in soft tissue. These cells grow slower and do not spread as quickly. High-grade leiomyosarcoma is diagnosed when cancer cells look extremely abnormal from regular cells. These cells grow quicker and are more likely to spread.

    Stages

    • Tumor size and rate of spread determine staging in cancer. All leiomyosarcoma cancers except those with gynecological origin are rated by the following staging guidelines: Stage 1A means the cancer is low grade and less than 5 cm in size, superficial (on the surface of the body) or deep within the body and there is no spreading. Stage 1B means the tumor is low grade and larger than 5 cm, superficial and with no spreading evident. Stage 2A means the cancer is larger than 5 cm, low grade and deep but has not spread. Stage 2B means the tumor is less than 5 cm, high grade, superficial or deep but has not spread. Stage 2C means the cancer is larger than 5 cm, high grade and superficial with no spreading evident. Stage 3 means the tumor is larger than 5 cm, deep and high grade but has not spread. Stage 4 means the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or another part of the body.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms vary depending on the size of the tumor and location. Common symptoms associated with leiomyosarcoma include a mass or swelling on the body that does not cause pain, pain or soreness where nerves or muscles are compressed, and limping or difficulty using the arms, legs, feet or hands.

    Treatment

    • Treatment options depend on age, disease progression, tolerance for medications and procedures, extent of disease and personal opinion. Surgical removal of tumors and surrounding tissue along with chemotherapy and radiation to shrink or kill cancer cells are used to treat leiomyosarcoma. Supportive care in the form of infection prevention and treating complications is also used.

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