How do you differentiate leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma?
Leiomyosarcoma is not the same as leiomyoma. Leiomyoma also starts in smooth muscles, but it isn’t cancer and it doesn’t spread. SOURCES: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: “Leiomyosarcoma.”
What is cellular leiomyoma?
A cellular leiomyoma is composed of small cells with scanty cytoplasm which can be confused with an endometrial stromal tumor [1]. It is important to differentiate CLs from malignant neoplasms of myometrium as they are believed to have benign clinical course and good prognosis.
How can you tell the difference between a sarcoma and a fibroid?
Signs of uterine sarcoma include abnormal bleeding. Most fibroids, even large ones, produce no symptoms. Uterine cancer occurs when cancer cells form in the muscles of the uterus or tissues that support the uterus. Cancers that develop in the uterus are types of sarcomas.
How would you classify a leiomyosarcoma?
Leiomyosarcoma is classified as a soft tissue sarcoma. Sarcomas are malignant tumors that arise from the connective tissue, which connects, supports and surrounds various structures and organs in the body. Soft tissue includes fat, muscle, nerves, tendons, and blood and lymph vessels.
What is the difference between leiomyoma and myoma?
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. Also called leiomyomas (lie-o-my-O-muhs) or myomas, uterine fibroids aren’t associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer and almost never develop into cancer.
How is leiomyoma diagnosed?
Diagnosis of uterine leiomyomas is generally made by comprehensive physical examination and clinical history. On physical exam, the most common finding is an enlarged uterus that is often irregular in shape. Confirmation of clinical diagnosis is most easily accomplished with ultrasonography.
What is leiomyosarcoma?
Leiomyosarcoma, or LMS, is a type of rare cancer that grows in the smooth muscles. The smooth muscles are in the hollow organs of the body, including the intestines, stomach, bladder, and blood vessels. In females, there is also smooth muscle in the uterus.
What is atypical leiomyoma?
Atypical leiomyoma is a well-described smooth muscle neoplasm of the uterus. Only 1 study has addressed long-term clinical follow-up in a large series, and little is known about the adequacy of treatment by myomectomy.
Do fibroids cause leiomyosarcoma?
The exact cause of uterine leiomyosarcoma is unknown. They often occur spontaneously, for no apparent reason. In extremely rare cases, some researchers believe they may signify a malignant change (transformation) of a benign (noncancerous) fibroid.
Where does leiomyosarcoma spread to first?
Leiomyosarcoma most often begins in the abdomen or uterus. It starts as a growth of abnormal cells and often grows quickly to invade and destroy normal body tissue.
Can leiomyosarcoma be misdiagnosed?
Examples of Leiomyosarcoma Misdiagnosis Because LMS can appear anywhere in the body, due to its ability to grow in any blood vessel, it can easily confuse or mislead even the most effective diagnosticians.