title: Leiomyosarcomas of the female genital tract: a clinical and histopathological study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leiomyosarcomas are malignant tumours showing smooth muscle differentiation. They represent approximately 25% of all uterine sarcomas and slightly over 1% of all uterine malignancies. The purpose of the present retrospective review is to relate clinical and pathological findings of leiomyosarcomas of the female genital tract to prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  During 1972-1992 eleven patients had diagnosed uterine leiomyosarcomas treated at the Department of Gynecology of the University of Saarland. The hospital records of all patients were reviewed and complete primary treatment had been performed at this center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 46.92 years (SD: +/-13.85). Atypical uterine bleeding and pelvic discomfort were the most common presenting complaints (72.7%). The mean follow-up time was 59.60 months (20-96 months). Overall 2-year survival was 70% and overall 5-year survival 30%. The overall survival of patients in FIGO-stage I was 57.14%, in FIGO-stage II 100%, in FIGO-stage III 0% and in FIGO-stage IV 0%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The primary therapy should consist of an operation as radical as possible. Treatment with organ preserving seems to be reasonable if the patient desires children. Also, chemotherapy might provide a hopeful sign in the improvement of survival rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Villena-Heinsen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mink
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hell
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011878:Radiotherapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*