title: Uterine leiomyosarcoma manifesting as a tricuspid valve mass.
abstract: Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare malignancy and carries a poorer prognosis when compared to endometrial carcinoma. It has been observed to metastasize to all the major organs. It presents with symptoms of abdominal distension, vaginal bleeding and may pass unnoticed until an advanced stage in patients with leiomyomas. Surgery is a viable option in patients with disease limited to the uterus, but metastasis to the heart may require surgery to prevent acute and catastrophic complications. The case described here involves metastasis to the tricuspid valve, which caused severe tricuspid regurgitation in the setting of acute pulmonary embolism. Surgical resection restored cardiac function and stabilized the patient. This case illustrates a rare site of metastasis of leiomyosarcoma which required immediate intervention and resulted in a favorable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Montefiore Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, New York, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Creticus P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Marak
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ponea
authors.forename: Narendrakumar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alappan
authors.forename: Shagufta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shaheen
authors.forename: Achuta K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Guddati
keywords: Leiomyosarcoma; Metastasis; Pulmonary embolism; Tricuspid valve