A case of rapidly growing gastric leiomyosarcoma: observations over 18 months.
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.
Haruma
K
K
First Department of Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
Shimamoto
T
T
Sumii
K
K
Kajiyama
G
G
Hashimoto
H
H
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