A type of soft tissue cancer, leiomyosarcoma forms from smooth muscle cells that surround and support organs and other structures in the body. Leiomyosarcoma is a rare and deadly disease, but it can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy. It is not a common form of uterine cancer, but it can occur in the uterus at any age and is most common in postmenopausal women. It can also spread to other parts of the body.
A uterine leiomyosarcoma may have many symptoms, including pelvic pain and bleeding. It is important to have a diagnosis and treatment as early as possible to improve survival and quality of life.
Uterine leiomyosarcoma is part of a group of cancers called soft tissue sarcomas. It’s important to recognize and treat this cancer because it can have a worse prognosis than other types of uterine cancer.
It is not clear what causes uterine leiomyosarcoma. This cancer may form from the cells that line and support the uterus, or from other cell types in the pelvic area. It can also form from blood vessels that supply the uterus with nutrients and oxygen.
In most cases, a uterine leiomyosarcoma grows slowly and does not cause any symptoms at first. However, it may become more aggressive and grow quickly after a woman becomes pregnant or enters menopause.
To diagnose uterine leiomyosarcoma, your provider will perform a physical examination and take your medical history. They will also do a pelvic exam to look at your vagina, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and rectum. They will insert a gloved finger or two into your vagina and rectum to feel for any unusual lumps or bumps. They will also use a speculum to examine the inside of your uterus and the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
The main treatment for uterine leiomyosarcoma includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These treatments can all help to kill any remaining cancer cells and relieve your symptoms. Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing or spreading. It can be given internally (with a machine placed in your body) or externally (from a machine outside your body). Sometimes, you will need both internal and external radiation therapy. Chemotherapy uses medications to kill cancer cells and reduce your pain and fever. Your doctor may give you a combination of chemotherapy drugs. Hormone therapy may be used to treat certain kinds of tumors that respond to hormones.
If your uterine leiomyosarcoma has spread, you may be able to join a clinical trial of newer treatments. The main goal of this kind of trial is to find out whether these treatments work better than standard care. Your provider can help you find a clinical trial that’s right for you. You can also get support from a uterine cancer support group. Many people with cancer find that joining a support group helps them feel less alone and more hopeful about their future. You can ask your provider or the staff at your cancer treatment center for help finding a uterine cancer support group in your area.
