title: A case of rapidly growing gastric leiomyosarcoma: observations over 18 months.
abstract: A gastric leiomyosarcoma in a 68-yr-old female was followed for 18 months by serial roentgenography. On initial x-ray, the lesion was diagnosed as a benign submucosal tumor. However, it rapidly increased in size, with doubling time subsequently calculated as 5 months. After 18 months' periodic observation, a gastrectomy was performed for a suspected malignancy. Histologic examination of the resected tumor revealed a leiomyosarcoma originating in the muscular layer of the stomach. It appears that the poor prognosis of leiomyosarcoma is related to its rapid growth; in addition, it is seldom detected at an early stage. Follow-up of the patient with a gastric submucosal tumor should be done first, 6 months after the initial examination, and thereafter, be done continuously according to the patient's condition. It is useful in differentiating a benign from a malignant myogenic tumor.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haruma
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimamoto
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sumii
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kajiyama
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors