Successful management of a leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata with an aromatase inhibitor.
BACKGROUND
Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata is a rare disease characterized by multifocal proliferation of smooth muscle-like cells that are histologically similar to uterine leiomyoma. High levels of female gonadal steroids are considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata.


METHODS
A 68-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for pelvic tumor and multiple intraabdominal solid masses. After laparotomy, she was diagnosed as having leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata. Most of the disseminated tumors were nonresectable. Raloxifene was ineffective for the control of these tumors. Anastrozole was effective for the control of tumor growth and her symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Anastrozole was useful for the management of postmenopausal nonresectable leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata. It is possible that the condition produces estrogen in situ, which promotes its growth in an autocrine/paracrine fashion.
Takeda
Takashi
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan. take@gyne.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Masuhara
Kanji
K
Kamiura
Shouji
S
D000368:Aged; D000077384:Anastrozole; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018231:Leiomyomatosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009570:Nitriles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000473:pathology; D017698:Postmenopause; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D000077384:Anastrozole