Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Treatment

Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that originates in the involuntary muscles of the uterine wall. It is most common at age 50 or above, and accounts for less than 2 percent of all uterine cancer cases. In its advanced stages uterine leiomyosarcoma is highly lethal, and effective treatment is directly linked to early discovery and prompt curative action.

Potential Causes and Symptoms

• Leiomyosarcomas can occur in any of the body's involuntary muscle tissues. While their cause is not entirely understood, researchers believe that genetics and radiation exposure play a part. In the case of uterine leiomyosarcoma, exposure to pelvic radiation therapy at least 10 years in the past and the use of tamoxifen (a breast cancer medication) have been indicated as potential causative factors. If you have been exposed to either of these treatments, arrange a uterine cancer screening with your doctor. This step is particularly important if you have experienced abnormal uterine or vaginal bleeding.

  The earliest stages of uterine leiomyosarcoma frequently present no symptoms. If symptoms do develop, they may include abdominal discomfort, menstrual changes if you are pre-menopausal or vaginal bleeding if you have already undergone menopause. You may also experience unexplained weight loss, as well as nausea or vomiting. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor at your earliest opportunity.

The Importance of Specialized Care

• If you are diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcoma, seek out doctors who are experienced in treating this particular form of cancer. Even the most competent general oncologist (cancer doctor) may only see one or two cases of leiomyosarcoma in his career, and design of an effective treatment program will likely require greater expertise.

Surgery

• Once you locate a qualified specialist, your treatment will almost certainly focus on surgical removal of the main tumor mass. Due to the aggressive nature of the cancer, successful treatment for uterine leiomyosarcoma has different assessment criteria than those normally used with less intrusive cancers. The development of most cancers is broken down into a series of progressive stages, based on the size and growth rate of the original cancer mass. Typically, cancers are highly treatable in the stages before they spread (metastasize) to other locations within the body.

  However, uterine leiomyosarcoma presents a somewhat accelerated pace of disease development. Research indicates that your chances for successful treatment may depend directly on the size of the tumor when it is first discovered. The presence of a tumor greater than 5 centimeters in diameter is associated with diminished chances for survival, whether or not the cancer has spread. Subsequently, while stage 1 uterine leiomyosarcoma patients have a 50 percent chance of surviving five years or longer after initial diagnosis, the rates of survival for the higher stages drop rapidly from 20 to 0 percent.

Other Potential Treatments

• Still, if you have advanced uterine leiomyosarcoma, treatment options are under development. Researchers have begun clinical testing of potentially effective treatments for metastasized leiomyosarcoma, using the drugs docetaxel, gemcitabine and filgrastim. Consult your oncologist for the latest information regarding these developments.