title: Recurrent subcutaneous trunk leiomyosarcoma: Management and review of the literature.
abstract: Superficial leiomyosarcomas are rare malignant smooth-muscle tumors accounting for 4-6.5% of all soft-tissue sarcomas, less than 2-3% of cutaneous soft-tissue neoplasms and 0.04% of all cancers. They are divided into cutaneous or dermal and subcutaneous leiomyosarcomas. Subcutaneous tumors have been reported to be associated with an increased risk of local recurrences and distant metastases, compared to their cutaneous counterparts. In this study, we describe a rare case of a recurrent subcutaneous trunk leiomyosarcoma in a 68-year-old male patient. Local recurrence developed two years after the complete surgical resection with wide margins and adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy. The management of the patient is discussed along with a review of the literature. We conclude that subcutaneous leiomyosarcoma is a rare clinical entity which may be associated with an atypical clinical presentation. Physicians should be aware of the misleading features of this tumor in order to avoid delay in diagnosis and treatment. Early complete surgical resection with wide margins of at least 2 cm is the cornerstone of treatment and has been reported to mostly influence the prognosis. However, the tumor has a high tendency to recur locally and metastasize. Recurrence may develop despite wide resection and radiotherapy. Long-term follow-up is mandatory.
authors: Department of Surgery, Army Veterans General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Nikolaos S
authors: NS
authors: Salemis
keywords: Leiomyosarcoma; recurrent; subcutaneous
references: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001 Apr;44(4):656-9
references: 11260542
references: Br J Dermatol. 1999 Nov;141(5):935-6
references: 10583188
references: Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005 Jul;116(1):8-12
references: 15988239
references: Histopathology. 2002 Apr;40(4):353-9
references: 11943020
references: Cancer. 1992 Jul 15;70(2):490-2
references: 1617597
references: J Surg Oncol. 2004 Feb;85(2):68-76
references: 14755506
references: Cancer. 1992 Jul 1;70(1):114-9
references: 1606532
references: J Cutan Pathol. 1996 Oct;23(5):458-63
references: 8915854
references: Ann Dermatol Venereol. 1999 Mar;126(3):235-42
references: 10394436
references: Cancer. 1958 Jul-Aug;11(4):844-54
references: 13561254
references: Skeletal Radiol. 2011 Mar;40(3):271-84
references: 20069421
references: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 Jun;64(6):1119-22
references: 21571171
references: Dermatol Surg. 2004 Jan;30(1):108-12
references: 14692939
references: Cancer. 1981 Jan 1;47(1):156-69
references: 7459804
references: J Cutan Pathol. 2010 Feb;37(2):269-76
references: 19694881
references: Cancer. 2007 Jan 15;109(2):282-91
references: 17154171
references: Clin Dermatol. 2001 May-Jun;19(3):262-8
references: 11479038
references: Pathol Eur. 1974;9(4):307-15
references: 4457785
references: Eur J Surg Oncol. 2004 Jun;30(5):565-72
references: 15135488
references: Histopathology. 2010 Jan;56(2):251-62
references: 20102404
references: World J Surg Oncol. 2005 Feb 24;3(1):14
references: 15730563
references: Acta Derm Venereol. 1993 Apr;73(2):143-5
references: 8103264