Leiomyosarcoma

Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant tumor that originates in smooth muscles. These are muscles found in the walls of hollow organs throughout your body, such as the intestines, stomach, bladder, blood vessels, and, in females, the uterus. 

These muscles are considered involuntary, meaning they function automatically without conscious control. They play a crucial role in moving substances like food, blood, saliva, and other materials through your body.

There are three main types of leiomyosarcoma:

• Somatic Soft Tissue Leiomyosarcoma: It is the most common form of leiomyosarcoma, which affects your body's connective tissues.
• Cutaneous or Subcutaneous Leiomyosarcoma: This is a rare type of leiomyosarcoma that targets the piloerector muscles in the skin. These muscles cause goosebumps and pupil dilation.
• Leiomyosarcoma of Vascular Origin: The rarest form of leiomyosarcoma, this type develops in major blood vessels, such as the pulmonary artery, inferior vena cava, or peripheral arteries.

Leiomyosarcoma is an aggressive cancer, meaning it can grow rapidly. It has the potential to metastasize or spread to other parts of the body, most commonly the lungs or liver. In cases of uterine leiomyosarcoma, the cancer can spread to nearby reproductive organs, the pelvis, abdomen, bladder, and rectum. Even after proper treatment, there is a chance for leiomyosarcoma to recur.

Though leiomyosarcoma is rare, with only about 1,200 new cases diagnosed annually in the United States, it is one of the more common types of soft tissue sarcomas, accounting for 10% to 20% of soft tissue sarcoma cases. 

Symptoms of leiomyosarcoma depend on the tumor size and location. Patients may not experience symptoms right away. As the tumor starts to grow and compress nearby organs or connective tissues, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Pain or swelling 
• Weight loss
• Lump under the skin
• Blocked blood flow to organs
• Tiredness

Leiomyosarcoma in the digestive system may cause:

• Change in bowel function
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea/vomiting
• Black stools 
• Internal bleeding

Leiomyosarcoma in the uterus can cause:

• Vaginal discharge
• Change in bladder function
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding 
• Pain or discomfort during sex

The exact cause of leiomyosarcoma is not fully understood. It may be hereditary, meaning it can be passed down through altered genes inherited from your parents. Alternatively, it can develop when changes occur in your own genes, causing cells to grow uncontrollably. Other potential causes include:

• Previous radiation therapy
• Exposure to certain chemicals

Genetic conditions that are linked to an increased risk of developing leiomyosarcoma include: 

• Hereditary retinoblastoma
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome
• Neurofibromatosis type 1
• Tuberous sclerosis
• Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome
• Gardner syndrome
• Werner syndrome

Diagnostic tests for leiomyosarcoma depend on where the tumor has formed in your body. At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we begin by discussing your symptoms, followed by a physical exam of the affected area. 

• Imaging: We may recommend an MRI, CT scan, angiography, or PET scan to locate the tumor, assess its size, and check for signs that it has spread to other parts of the body.
• Biopsy: We may also order a biopsy to confirm a leiomyosarcoma diagnosis. During this procedure, a sample of tumor tissue is collected through an image-guided needle biopsy, which is examined under a microscope to help establish a diagnosis.

Treatment for leiomyosarcoma is based on factors such as the tumor's size, location, and whether it has spread. 

• Surgery: If the entire tumor can be surgically removed, there is a strong chance of curing the cancer. However, if some cancerous cells are left behind, there is a higher risk of the cancer returning, either in the same location or in a different part of the body. 
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy may be used in conjunction with surgery. It targets the remaining cancer cells to prevent them from growing back after the surgery. 
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is often used in combination with surgery for large tumors or when the tumor has spread to other parts of the body. It targets cells that have traveled beyond the primary tumor site, improving the chances of controlling the tumor and preventing further spread.
• Clinical Trials: Clinical trials may be an option to explore both new and existing drugs designed to treat leiomyosarcoma. These trials are especially useful for patients with high-grade leiomyosarcoma, where the cancer cells appear more aggressive under a microscope. 

When leiomyosarcoma is detected early and successfully removed through surgery, the prognosis is generally positive, with a strong likelihood of full recovery. However, if the tumor is large or has metastasized to other areas of the body, treatment becomes more complex. Early detection and treatment are key to improving outcomes for patients with leiomyosarcoma.

Due to leiomyosarcoma’s potential for rapid growth and metastasis, early detection and specialized treatment are critical for improving outcomes. Our team designs a personalized treatment plan to optimize your specific condition and maximize your chances of a successful outcome.

At our office in Santa Monica, we design personalized and innovative plans for treating leiomyosarcoma.

To schedule a consultation, please call us at 424-699-3862 or request an appointment online.